19.4.2 Shackle Bodies

All shackle standards specify dee shackles, with some specifying both a large dee and a small dee shackle. A large dee shackle is a shackle which has ample internal clearances in the body and jaw, and which is appropriate for general engineering purposes. A small dee shackle is a shackle which has moderate internal clearances in the body and jaw but, size for size, has a SWL higher than that of the large dee. It is suitable for use with hook eyes, eyebolts, egg links, wire rope thimbles, etc. and for the head fittings of ships’ blocks.

All shackle standards specify bow shackles, with some specifying both a large bow and a small bow shackle. A large bow shackle is a shackle which has ample internal clearances in the body and jaw and which is appropriate for general engineering purposes. A small bow shackle is a shackle which has moderate internal clearances in the body and jaw but, size for size, has a SWL higher than that of the large bow. It is suitable for use with the eyes and bodies of hooks, eyebolts, egg links, wire rope thimbles, etc. and for the head fittings of ships’ blocks.

A grab shackle is a dee shackle having a screwed countersunk pin, designed for use with grabs where the shackle must pass through a circular aperture of minimum diameter.