GB2193747A - Rope sling reeved eye clamp - Google Patents

Abstract

A rope sling reeved eye clamp is releasably secured to the live wire of a reeved rope sling above and below the reeved eye. The clamp consists of two symmetrical "U" shaped halves (4) which are hinged together (5), one on top of the other, and clamped by screws (6) so as to provide a closed end which restrains the reeved eye thereby holding the reeved eye in place, ensuring the rope sling remains tight around the bundled material it serves to lift. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Rope sling reeved eye clamp This invention relates to a rope sling reeved eye clamp.

In the oil industry when lengths of materials like tubulars or scaffold boards are bundled together for shipping purposes, this is done by wrapping wire rope slings around each bundle, passing the eye which will be held by the crane hook (live wire) through the eye at the other end of the sling (reeved eye). When lifted, the slings tighten around the bundle and a bulldog grip is fitted onto each live wire above the reeved eye. To ensure this eye does not slip over the bulldog grip when the load is laid down, an electric cable tie is fitted around the live wire and also through the reeved eye. These items are fitted to prevent the slings siiding from their intended position, thus overcoming handling difficulties at sea.

The bulldog grips are often damaged making them difficult to remove and impossible to use again. Cable ties regularly break due to their "weak" plastic construction.

According to the present invention there is provided a rope sling reeved eye clamp comprising two U-shaped members, and securing means to hold the two U-shaped members together so as to allow a lateral parting enabling each member to pass on either side of a rope or live wire. The two members are preferably symmetrical. Preferably the Ushaped members are hinged together one on top of the other. Preferably on each internal face of the clamp there is a semi circular indentation and when the clamp is closed they come together and encompass the live wire above and below the reeved eye, the clamp can be releasably secured by two screws, each passing through the two halves of the clamp at the opposite end to that which is hinged.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:- Figure 1 shows an exploded view of the clamp.

Figure 2 illustrates the clamp secured in position on the live wire (1) with the semi-circular indentations (2) encompassing the live wire above and below the reeved eye (3).

Referring to the drawing, the clamp comprises two symetrical "U" shaped halves (4) hinged together one on top of the other (5) and having two screws passing through both halves (6) releasably securing the clamp in position. In order to open the clamp, the screws are retracted enabling the two halves to break open.

1. A reeved rope sling clamp comprises two "U" shaped members, means for releasably securing the members, with each member being adapted to close over the live wire or rope on a reeved sling.

2. A reeved rope sling clamp as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the two halves are hinged together, one on top of the other so as to provide a closed end which restrains the reeved eye.

3. A reeved rope sling clamp as claimed in claims 1 or 2 wherein the two halves are releasably secured together by two screw arrangements.

4. A reeved rope sling clamp as claimed in claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein the clamp when closed encompasses the live wire above and below the reeved eye thereby restraining the reeved eye and holding the sling in place around the load.

5. A reeved rope sling clamp as claimed in claims 1, 2, 3, or 4 wherein each half has two semi-circular indentations on the inside surface, shaped so as to match the lay of the rope on the live wire thereby enhancing the grip when the clamp is closed.

6. A reeved rope sling clamp as claimed in claims 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 and as described herein with reference to Figs. 1, and 2, on the accompanying drawing.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (6)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Rope sling reeved eye clamp This invention relates to a rope sling reeved eye clamp. In the oil industry when lengths of materials like tubulars or scaffold boards are bundled together for shipping purposes, this is done by wrapping wire rope slings around each bundle, passing the eye which will be held by the crane hook (live wire) through the eye at the other end of the sling (reeved eye). When lifted, the slings tighten around the bundle and a bulldog grip is fitted onto each live wire above the reeved eye. To ensure this eye does not slip over the bulldog grip when the load is laid down, an electric cable tie is fitted around the live wire and also through the reeved eye. These items are fitted to prevent the slings siiding from their intended position, thus overcoming handling difficulties at sea. The bulldog grips are often damaged making them difficult to remove and impossible to use again. Cable ties regularly break due to their "weak" plastic construction. According to the present invention there is provided a rope sling reeved eye clamp comprising two U-shaped members, and securing means to hold the two U-shaped members together so as to allow a lateral parting enabling each member to pass on either side of a rope or live wire. The two members are preferably symmetrical. Preferably the Ushaped members are hinged together one on top of the other. Preferably on each internal face of the clamp there is a semi circular indentation and when the clamp is closed they come together and encompass the live wire above and below the reeved eye, the clamp can be releasably secured by two screws, each passing through the two halves of the clamp at the opposite end to that which is hinged. A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:- Figure 1 shows an exploded view of the clamp. Figure 2 illustrates the clamp secured in position on the live wire (1) with the semi-circular indentations (2) encompassing the live wire above and below the reeved eye (3). Referring to the drawing, the clamp comprises two symetrical "U" shaped halves (4) hinged together one on top of the other (5) and having two screws passing through both halves (6) releasably securing the clamp in position. In order to open the clamp, the screws are retracted enabling the two halves to break open. CLAIMS

1. A reeved rope sling clamp comprises two "U" shaped members, means for releasably securing the members, with each member being adapted to close over the live wire or rope on a reeved sling.

2. A reeved rope sling clamp as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the two halves are hinged together, one on top of the other so as to provide a closed end which restrains the reeved eye.

3. A reeved rope sling clamp as claimed in claims 1 or 2 wherein the two halves are releasably secured together by two screw arrangements.

4. A reeved rope sling clamp as claimed in claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein the clamp when closed encompasses the live wire above and below the reeved eye thereby restraining the reeved eye and holding the sling in place around the load.

5. A reeved rope sling clamp as claimed in claims 1, 2, 3, or 4 wherein each half has two semi-circular indentations on the inside surface, shaped so as to match the lay of the rope on the live wire thereby enhancing the grip when the clamp is closed.

6. A reeved rope sling clamp as claimed in claims 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 and as described herein with reference to Figs. 1, and 2, on the accompanying drawing.