Cargo hook

A cargo hook for releasably carrying a load includes a support frame, a load support carried by the frame, and a latch. The load support has a closed condition for securing the load and an open condition for permitting release of the load. The latch is for releasably latching the load support in the closed condition and includes a toggle linkage having a first end pivotally connected to the load support, a second end pivotally connected to the frame, and an articulation joint between the ends. Further, the latch includes a mechanism for toggling the toggle linkage between first and second toggle positions, and a catch moveable between a latched position for holding the toggle linkage in the first toggle position and an unlatched position for permitting the toggle linkage to toggle between the first and second toggle positions. The load support may include a static load beam and a load release gate pivotally mounted for rotation between a closed position securing a load on the beam and an open position permitting release of the load from the beam. Alternately, the load support may include a load beam pivotally mounted to the frame for rotation between a closed position securing a load on the beam and an open position permitting release of the load from the beam.