Shackle apparatus

Abstract

A shackle apparatus including a generally U-shaped shackle body having an arcuate end, a pair of parallel arms, and a retaining member spanning a gap defined between the shackle arms. The retaining member cooperates with the shackle body to define a closed loop which can be permanently attached to a sling or lifting cable. The retaining member prevents the shackle apparatus from being removed and installed on another sling or lifting cable without substantially destroying the shackle apparatus of the present invention.

1 . A shackle apparatus comprising:
 a. an arcuate body;   b. a first arm connected to said arcuate body, said first arm having a transverse bore extending therethrough;   c. a second arm connected to said arcuate body, said second arm having a transverse bore extending therethrough, wherein said first and second arms are substantially parallel to each other, and said transverse bores are in axial alignment;   d. a retaining member disposed between said first and second arms; and   e. a rigid member received within said aligned transverse bores.   
     
     
         2 . The shackle apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a loop of a cable sling is disposed between said arcuate body and said retaining member. 
     
     
         3 . The shackle apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said rigid member comprises a bolt having a first end and a second end, a head disposed at said first end and threads at said second end. 
     
     
         4 . The shackle apparatus of  claim 3 , further comprising a castle nut threadably connected to the threads of said bolt. 
     
     
         5 . The shackle apparatus of  claim 3 , further comprising a cable having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end is connected to the head of said bolt, and said second end is connected to said arcuate body. 
     
     
         6 . The shackle apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said retaining member comprises a substantially straight member. 
     
     
         7 . The shackle apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said retaining member comprises an arcuate member, and said arcuate body and retaining member together define a substantially circular loop. 
     
     
         8 . The shackle apparatus of  claim 2 , where said retaining member further comprises:
 a. a first projection on said first arm extending toward said second arm; and   b. a second projection on said second arm extending toward said first arm;   
       wherein the distance between said first and second projections is less than the diameter of the cable forming said sling. 
     
     
         9 . The shackle apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an RFID chip. 
     
     
         10 . The shackle apparatus of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a. a recess in said retaining member for receiving said RFID chip; and   b. an adhesive for securing said RFID chip within said recess.   
     
     
         11 . The shackle apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising indicia disposed on said arcuate body or retaining member. 
     
     
         12 . A shackle apparatus comprising:
 a. an arcuate body;   b. a first arm connected to said arcuate body, said first arm having a transverse bore extending therethrough;   c. a second arm connected to said arcuate body, said second arm having a transverse bore extending therethrough, wherein said first and second arms are substantially parallel to each other, and said transverse bores are in axial alignment;   d. a retaining member disposed between said first and second arms;   e. a bolt received within said aligned transverse bores, said bolt having a first end and a second end, a head disposed at said first end and threads at said second end;   f. a castle nut threadably connected to the threads of said bolt; and   g. a cable having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end is connected to the head of said bolt, and said second end is connected to said arcuate body.   
     
     
         13 . The shackle apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein a loop of a cable sling is disposed between said arcuate body and said retaining member. 
     
     
         14 . The shackle apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein said retaining member comprises a substantially straight member. 
     
     
         15 . The shackle apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein said retaining member comprises an arcuate member, and said arcuate body and retaining member together define a substantially circular loop. 
     
     
         16 . The shackle apparatus of  claim 13 , where said retaining member further comprises:
 a. a first projection on said first arm extending toward said second arm; and   b. a second projection on said second arm extending toward said first arm;   
       wherein the distance between said first and second projections is less than the diameter of the cable forming said sling. 
     
     
         17 . The shackle apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising an RFID chip. 
     
     
         18 . The shackle apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising a recess in said retaining member for receiving said RFID chip. 
     
     
         19 . The shackle apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein said RFID chip is secured within said recess using an adhesive, epoxy or resin. 
     
     
         20 . The shackle apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising indicia disposed on said arcuate body or retaining member.