Cargo sling and feed-through link therefor

Claim 2

A link for cargo slings comprising a unitary, generally rectangular-shaped member having parallel sides of uniform crosssection; a bottom cross member to which a cargo sling is secured, said bottom member being perpendicularly disposed between said parallel sides and having a rounded upper face tapering toward a rounded, slightly outwardly curved lower face and providing a generally triangular cross-section for said bottom member in a direction longitudinally of said link; and, an outwardly curved top cross member having a rounded inner surface tapering toward a rounded outer surface and providing a generally triangular crosssection for said top cross member in a direction longitudinally of said link, the overall length and overall width of said link being such that a first link can be passed through a second, identical link when said first link is oriented so that its width is substantially in the same plane as the diagonal of said second link.

Claim 3

The link of claim 1, wherein the overall length of said link is about 50 percent greater than its overall width.

Claim 4

The link of claim 1, wherein said parallel sides are substantially square and have flat surfaces and rounded edges.

Claim 5

The link of claim 1, wherein the radius of the arc of the curvature of the lower face of said bottom member is slightly greater than the overall length of said link.

Claim 6

The link of claim 4, wherein said radius is about one-third greater than the overall length of said link.

Claim 7

The link of claim 1, wherein the rounded inner and outer surfaces of said top cross member have the same radius of curvature such that the cross-sectional thickness of said top member gradually increases from its ends toward its center.

Claim 8

The link of claim 6, wherein said radius of curvature is about one-half the overall length of said link.

Claim 9

A cargo sling comprising two links as defined in claim 1 having the bottom members thereof joined together by an elongated flexible web having a width no greater than the width of said links, and a length to provide a practical load engaging loop when one link and a portion of said web is passed through the other link in the load hoistiNg orientation of said sling.

Claim 10

A cargo sling as defined in claim 8, wherein the web comprises a flexible cable strand secured to one of said links and spirally wound between the two links to provide a plurality of connecting strands which normally would form separate groups forwardly and rearwardly of the aligned and tensioned links, the forward and rearward orientation of said groups of strands being reversed a plurality of times longitudinally of said web by other cable means passing transversely between said groups of strands in zigzag fashion throughout the length of said web.

Claim 11

A cargo sling as defined in claim 9, wherein said other cable means makes one zigzag pass throughout the length of said web providing a single ''''basket weave'''' effect.

Claim 12

A cargo sling as defined in claim 9, wherein said other cable means makes two zigzag passes throughout the length of said web providing a double ''''basket weave'''' effect.

Claim 13

A cargo sling as defined in claim 9, wherein the first named cable strand comprises a high tensile strength metal cable with a plastic coating.

Claim 14

A cargo sling as defined in claim 9, wherein the first named cable strand comprises a high tensile strength metal cable with a plastic coating, and said other cable means comprises a braided cable having surface irregularities adapted to provide non-slip engagement with the plastic coating of said first cable strand.

Claim 15

A cargo sling as defined in claim 13, wherein said second cable means comprises a braided metal cable.

Claim 16

A link for cargo slings comprising a unitary, generally rectangular-shaped member having parallel sides of uniform, substantially square cross-section, flat surfaces and rounded edges; a bottom cross member to which a cargo sling is secured, said bottom member being perpendicularly disposed between said parallel sides and having a rounded upper face tapering toward a rounded, slightly outwardly curved lower face and providing a generally triangular cross-section for said bottom member in a direction longitudinally of said link, the radius of curvature of said lower face being slightly greater than the overall length of said link; and, an outwardly curved top cross member having a rounded inner surface tapering toward a rounded outer surface and providing a generally triangular cross-section for said top cross member in a direction longitudinally of said link, the radius of curvature of the arcs of said inner and outer surfaces being the same and about one-half the overall length of said link such that the cross-sectional thickness of said top member gradually increases from its ends to its center, the overall length and the overall width of said link being such that a first link can be passed through the rectangular opening of a second, identical link when said first link is oriented so that its width is substantially in the same plane as the diagonal of said second link.

Claim 17

A link for cargo slings comprising a unitary, generally rectangular-shaped member having parallel sides of uniform, substantially square cross-section, flat surfaces and rounded edges; a bottom cross member to which a cargo sling is secured, said bottom member being perpendicularly disposed between said parallel sides and having a rounded upper face tapering toward a rounded, slightly outwardly curved lower face and providing a generally triangular cross-section for said bottom member in a direction longitudinally of said link, the radius of curvature of said lower face being slightly greater than the overall length of said link; and, an outwardly curved top cross member having a rounded inner surface tapering toward a rounded outer surface and providing a generally triangular cross-section for said top cross member in a direction longitudinally of said link, the radius of curvature of the arcs of said inner and outer surfaces being the same and about one-half the overall length of said link such that the cross-sectional thickness of said top member gradually increases from its ends to its center, the overall length and the overall width of said link being such that a first link can be passed through the rectangular opening of a second, identical link when said first link is oriented so that its width is substantially in the same plane as the diagonal of said second link.

Claim 18

The link of claim 15, wherein the radius of curvature of the lower face of said bottom member is about one-third greater than the overall length of said link.

Claim 19

The link of claim 15, wherein the overall length of said link is about 50 percent greater than its overall width.