this improved cable - scooping hook device with upper and lower portions and with a pivot pin and hubs is better able to snatch and scoop up a load cable than previous designs . its tongs - like configuration can have a combination of magnetic hammerheads , weights on top and an extension spring to help force its lower portions , including jaws , to separate , when suspended cargo makes a touchdown onto a platform . to ensure that the load cable is snatched , a bar magnet is suspended from one or both hubs of the pivot pin . a ferrous metal load cable is attracted by the suspended magnet and held in place until the device &# 39 ; s jaws close , as a load is lifted by the hoist cables . a person holding a long pole with a hook on its end guides the device to the load cable &# 39 ; s location . when the hook reaches the load cable , attached to a load , the device is lowered to make contact with it , whereupon the cable is quickly snatched and scooped up , aided by the magnet &# 39 ; s attraction . another technique is described and illustrated for aiding a nonmagnetic cable to be snatched and scooped up .