Stabilized coupling link for chain and hook assembly

Claim 1

A stabilized chain and hook assembly, said chain comprising a plurality of joined together links and said hook comprising a body having an upturned hook at one end thereof and an opening defining an eye at the other end thereof, said eye having an axis extending substantially perpendicular to the plane of the hook, and a closed, substantially planar coupling link having a first curved end connected with an endmost link of the chain and a second curved end connected with the eye of the hook, joining the hook to the chain, and coupling link stabilizing means fixed to the coupling link and engageable with the hook to substantially limit movement of the coupling link to pivotal movement about a line substantially along the axis of the eye of the hook, thus preventing twisting and jamming of the chain and the coupling link, said stabilizing means including a restraining bar fixed at its opposite ends to opposed, spaced inner portions of the coupling link adjacent said first curved end thereof and spanning the space between said inner portions and defining a reduced opening at said first end of the coupling link in which said endmost link of the chain is received, and at least one stabilizing element welded to an outer end surface portion of the second curved end of the link and projecting therefrom in the plane of the link and having spaced apart, opposed hook-engaging surfaces disposed on opposite sides of the hook.