GB2218464A - Line jamming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to the provision of line jamming apparatus wherein at least one roller 3 moves convergently and divergently on a pathway relative to a line feeding out of and back into a channel is in use convergently moveable to jam the line so preventing movement out of the channel and divergently moveable so to unjam the line, a size of the channel being relatively restricted by convergent movement of the runner means and relatively enlarged by divergent movement of the runner means. The roller may be resiliently biassed in direction 6 and the apparatus provided with an unlocking lever to urge the roller in direction 7. <IMAGE>

Description

LINE JAMMING APPARATUS This invention relates to the provision of line jamming appartus.

The invention has particular4 although not exclusive, relevance to the provision of line jamming apparatus for gripping or otherwise engaging lines and other elongate elements, such as ropes, cables and the like.

To date, problems have arisen in the provision of line jamming apparatus to control the feeding out of such elements. Many of these problems stem from the construction of known apparatus, which construction Is regarded as relatively complex, typically including relatively many parts, particularly moving parts.

It has been found that the relatively high number of moving parts in such apparatus may lead to problems in manufacture and malntenance, especially where the number of moving parts is relatively high.

The relatively complex nature of such apparatus, for instance typical cleat assemblies and the like used in boating, has been found to produce a number of disadvantages during use. For example, operation of such cleat assemblies is required to "tail out" or "trim" sails, and the like, even in relatively light conditions. As was mentioned earlier, this is regarded as a disadvantage, particularly in emergency or could conditions.

Also regarded as disadvantageous is the tendency for sheets and the like to catch on portions of typical cleats. This may be particularly disadvantageous In yacht race conditions.

It is an object of at least one embodiment of this invention to come some way in overcoming at least osme of the abovementioned problems or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.

Other objects of this invention will become apparent from the following description4 According to one aspect of this invention there is provided a line jamming apparatus including a feeder channel through which a line may be fed in use and at least one runner portion moveable in a pathway, at least a part of said pathway positioned to in use enable convergent movement of said runner relative to the movement of a line moving out through said channel and divergent movement of said runner relative to the movement of a line moving back through said channel1 said runner in use contactable with said line moving out of said channel and moveable in said pathway relatively to restrict a size of said channel and jam said line therein1 movement of the line out of said channel being interrupted by said runner in the jammed condition4 The term "line" as used herein refers to flexible elongate elements such as ropes1 cables cords, sheets, stays and the like Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of one embodiment of this invention; Figure 2 is a schematic and cutaway side view of the embodiment in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a schematic end Section of the embodiment in Figure l; Figure 4 is a schematic cutaway side view of a further embodiment of this Invention; Figure 5 is a schematic and cutaway side view of a further embodiment of this Invention; Figure 6 Is a schematic and exploded perspective view of an exemplary runner and biasing means according a further embodiment of this invention;; Figure 7 Is a schematic side view of an embodiment of this invention in use; Figure 8 is a schematic and partially cutaway side view of a further embodiment of this invention; Figure 9 is a schematic plan view of a further embodiment of this invention; and Figure 10 is a schematic end view of the embodiment of in Figure 9.

The exemplary embodiments of this Invention shown in the drawings are preferably provided for use in boating, for instance to enable the securement of sheets, stays, cords and ropes and the like and d similar lines.

The exemplary apparatus are formed in cast and tooled aluminium, though suitable plastics and, indeed, any suitable material may be used.

Tuming now to consider Figure 1, an exemplary embodiment of the invention Is shown, namely block 1. A cutaway view of block I is shown in Figure 2. bw this example the block in a use condition and thus a line is Illustrated within channel 200, the line being provided as rope 2 in this example.

The runner means of this embodiment, runner 3, is positioned on a pathway which in this embodiment is defined between wall portions 4 and S, floor 21 and portions of runner 3.

Runner 3 is of substantially of cylindrical dimension in this example and is moveable on the pathway in directions 6 and 7. As will be appreciated, movement in direction 6will tend to restrict a size of channel 200 and movement in direction 7 will tend to enlarge a size of the channel.

Runner 3 is moveable on the pathway by sliding and/or rotating in this example, rotation taking place substantially about axis 201, this axis positioned substantially transversely relative to feeder channel 200 in this example. It is preferable though not essential that the runner orients substantially transversely to the channel at least when the runner is in the jammed condition, a condition which will be discussed in further detail below.

As can be seen by reference to Figure 3, portions of runner 3 position within recesses g and 9 of the wall portions. The spacing between walls 4 and S and the height and depth of the recesses are provided to complement the configuration of runner 3 and, at the same time, provide a working tolerance for movement of those portions of the runner positioned in the recesses.

Thus, in this example, the distance between inner portions 10 and II of recesses 8 and 9 Is slightly greater than the length of runner 3. And, the height of the recesses, as measured between edges 12 and 13, and 14 and IS, respectively, Is slightly greater than the diameter of the runner.

The runner also includes lug and spring portions, lugs 18 and 19 and spring 20, in this embodiment. Further discussions of these integers takes place bellow. it is sufficient to explain for the moment that in the position shown in Figure 2, runner 3 is relatively free to rotate within the pathwy and to move in directions 6 and 7, within the limits defined by recesses 8 and 9.

As is mentioned above, movement of the runner in direction 6 tends to restrict a size of channel 200 and movement of the runner in direction 7 tends to enlarge a size of the channel. It is also a feature of this invention that movement of the runner in direction 6 is convergent relative to movement of rope 2 out through channel 200 in direction 16.

And, movement of the runner in direction 7 is divergent relative to movement of the rope back through channel 200 in direction 17.

Should rope 2 contact runner 3 whilst the rope is moving back through the channel substantially in direction 17, the runner will tend to rotate and/or move on the pathway in direction 7. The channel will tend relatively to enlarge under such movement in direction 7 and continued movement of the rope back through the channel will be relatively uninterrupted.

However, should rope 2 contact the runner whilst the rope is moving out through the channel substantially in direction 16, runner 3 will tend to be drawn along the pathway In direction 6. This will of course tend to restrict a size of the channel and, because rope 2 is of such circumferential dimension that even when compressed it will protrude into that portion of the pathway defined between recesses s and 9, the rope and runner will tend to converge with floor 21 and jam. This jamming effect will, it will be appreciated, tend to interrupt the movement of rope 2 out of the channel.

To disengage the runner and rope, an operate need merely induce movement in direction 17 back through the channel.

As may be appreciated, an operator can allow movement of the rope out of the channel without the interruption occasloned by a jamming engagement of runner and rope, for instance by altering the angle at which the rope contacts runner 3; in this example by lifting the.rope (according to the orientation in Figure 2) to produce a rotation in the runner at a position away from end 22 of the pathway.

To assist such a movement and substantially to obviate the need for such manipulation of the rope, this embodiment of the invention includes a detent assembly to enable the runner to be releasably positioned more or less at rest in an unjammed condition, though preferably, as occurs here, the runner, if provided as a roller, will be free to rotate on the spot. It should be appreciated that the terms "rest" and "rest position" as used herein merely refer to relative movement along the pathway and do not necessarily require the runner to be moving.

Spring 20 and lugs 18 and 19 have already been referred to in relation to Figure 3. In conjunction with groove and socket portions of walls 4 and S, these integers provide the detent assembly of this embodiment of the invention. Grooves 23 and 25 are shown in Figure 3 and socket 25 and groove 23 can be seen with reference to Figure 2.

As will be appreciated by reference to Figure 3, sprIng 20 creates a bias in lugs 18 and 19 outwardly of runner 3 towards the wall portions of this apparatus. When runner 3 is positioned adjacent end 26 of the pathway, lug 18 positions to engage in socket 25. A similar socket is provided for lug 19, but this socket is not shown in the drawings.

Socket 23 is of relatively less depth than groove 23 in this example, When lug 18 is in position in groove 23, the bias in the lug is substantlally exhausted, so allowing relatively free movement of runner 3 in directions 6 and 7. However, when lug 18 Is In position in socket 23, the bias urges the lug into a frictional contact with wall portion 4. A similar effect occurs with lug 19. This frictional contact may be overcome, for example by flicking the rope to force the runner in direction 6, to reposition the runner for movement on the pathway.

To assist engagement and disengagement of the detent in this example, adjacent portions of the socket and groove are rounded and the lugs are provided with complemental rounded end portions.

In at least one alternative embodiment lugs may be provided in a plastics material such as Delrin (registered Mark Trade Mark) or the like, to take advantage of the inherent lubrication of such material. Alternatively, such plastics material may be used to line sockets and grooves such as socket 25 and groove 23.

Tuming now to consider Figure 4, a further version of the invention is shown which is provided for relatively heavier duty operating conditions than the single runner block shown In Figures 1, 2 and 3.

h Figure X, block 30 includes two runner means and pathway combinations formed substantially to be complemental and to position substantially complementally relative to base 31. A co-ordination means is provided in this example, namely coupling 32, to engage rollers 33 and 34 for predetermined movement in the pathways.

In this example coupling 32 is provided to co-ordinate convergent and divergent movement of rollers 33 and 34 so that their pattem of movement is more Of less synchronised, one of the rollers moving with the other relative to a line moving in channel 202 in use.

Coupling 32 in this example also doubles as a moving means actuable by manipulation of hand portion 35 to assist convergent and divergent movements of the rollers.

Turning now to consider the embodiment of this invention set out in Figure 5, as can be seen the exemplary runner means, roller 102 is moveable on a pathway defined in similar form to that shown in Figures 1 to 4 and, again, movement on the pathway is relatively convergent or divergent movement in direction 106 is convergent with movement of a rope out of channel 203 in direction 107 and movement bf the roller in direction 108 is divergent with movement of a rope back through channel 203 substantially in direction. 109.

In this example divergent movement of the roller creates a bias for convergent movement. A biasing means is provided to this tend, in this example compression springs (shown in and referred to below in relation to Figure 6).

Moving means 110 will also be seen in Figure S, represented by moving means l l0a in a first, closed position, and moving means I lOb h a second, open position. The moving means is actuable to assist divergent movement of roller 102 in directlbn 108, in this example. And, as will be appreciated, when moving means 110b is in the open position, so roller 102 is in the rest position.

The exemplary moving means is pivotally mounted with the walls of the block at axis Ill so that, upon actuaticrn to assist a divergent movement of the roller, it will pivot from a position similar to that adopted by moving means I 1 0a towards a position similar to that adopted by moving means 110b.

Such pivotal movement in tum moves a contact portion of the moving means, represented by shoulder 112a and I 12b in this example, into the pathway defined between the recesses in the walls. As will be appreciated, this movement of the shoulder is substantially in the same direction as the direction of divergent movement of the runner.

The exemplary axis Ill is positioned substantially transversely of the pathway.

In this example roller 102 and a rope or other line positioned on floor 105 are engageable in the usual manner according to this aspect of the invention.

When the roller is in a position on said pathway adjacent to end 113 of recess 103, through actuation of moving means 110 for movement of the contact portion as 5et out above, runner 102 is positionable in the rest position.

It is this position in which roll r 102 is shown In Figure 1, namely adjacent to end 114 of recess lQ3.

The moving means of this example includes a locator portion, shown as locators 204a and 20tit, the locator portion formed substantially to complement an outer shape of the roller. In the position shown by moving means I lOb, locator 204b contacts the roller and, because roller Is positioned as shown under a bias towards end 113, the roller presses back Into the location portion tending to pivot the moving means further open.

Thus, in the rest position, the roller is not quite at the end of the pathway, instead riding a little towards end 113 under the abovementioned bias and resting against locator portion 204b in the rest position.

h order to remove the exemplary roller from the rest position in this example, the moving means is pivoted back towards the position shown by roller lick, the contact portion, shoulder 112b, briefly pushing roller 102 back up the pathway before pivoting away so letting the roller be drawn back down the pathway under the bias towards end 113, Thus, by virtue of a relatively simple 'flicking" of the moving means between the closed and open positions so the roller is released from the rest position.

As will be seen, the exemplary moving means also includes a release portion, in this example is provided as a heel postioned at an opposite end to the shoulder. The release portion acts to release-the exemplary runner means from the rest position when the moving means is in the closed position and will prevent the exemplary runner means locating in the rest position except with removal of the heel therefrom.

No detest or similar arrangement is provided in the example shown in the drawings and, indeed, as mentioned above, when the moving means pivots to the closed position, so the roller moves convergently under a bias.

Where a detent or other arrangement is provided so that with or without a bias the runner means remains at the rest position once the moving means is removed, a release portion is preferably provided.

A release portion is shown in Figure 5 as heel 116a and i 16b. in the exemplary embodiment the heel rests on stop 115, a transverse spacer bar extending between the walls of the block, when the moving means Is In the closed position. As can be seen, heel 116a obtrudes into the pathway defined between the recesses. Thus, in the embodiments just mentioned, the release portion may be flicked into the position shown by heel 116a so to knock the roller out of the rest position and release it into the pathway for engagement.

Where the exemplary block is mounted or used with floor 105 more or less in a horizontal position, the block can be employed for engagement and disengagement of ropes and the like subject to relatively large loads merely by actuation Of the moving means between the closed and open positions.

For instance, where the moving means is in the closed position and quick release of the runner means is required from the engaged condition, for instance to enable paying out of a rope or line or the like, the moving means can relatively quickly and easily be "flicked" and pivoted to release the runner means from engagement, more or-less obviating the need to first pull the rope or other line back through the channel.

Where the engagement means of this invention is to be used primarily on the deck of a yacht, a detent to assist the posItIoning in a disengaged condition may, as was mentioned above, optionally be used.

Where the engagement means is required to be used with the floor positioned more or less uprIghtly, for instance on a mast, biasing means are preferably provided wherein a divergent movement of the runner means preferably creates a bias for convergent movement of the runner means, as mentioned earlier.

h the exemplary embodiment the biasing means are provided as relatively light compression springs. These are shown as springs 120 and 121 in Figure 6. In this example the springs extend, in channels such as channel 122 of recess 103, between axle 123 of the roller and fixing means such as pin 124.

The springs are preferably "relatively light" in as much as all that is required is that the spring should keep the roller up to the rope, sheet or other line when the block is positioned for instance as shown in Figure 7.

in Figure 7 block 130 Is shown attached to mast 131 with sheet 132 engaged therein. As will be appreciated, if quick release of sheet 132 is required, for instance in a "knock down" situation, rather than actuating winch 134 to disengage roller 135 from the sheet, all that is required is that moving means 136 be flicked upwardly to pivot in direction 133 to the open position so releasing roller l 35 and moving it to and locating it in the rest position and allowing sheet 132 more or less immediately to be paid out.

Though preferably l'relatively light", the springs should still allow for such quick release of the roller or other runner means as mentioned above.

However, preferably they should not be so light as to overstretch because of movement between the first and second positions.

Tuming now to consider Figure 8, a further example of the Invention is shown namely block 301 which in this example includes runner means, rollers 302 and 303, channel 304, and runner pathways positioned more or less along Lines 30S and 306, Rollers 302 and 303 are linked In this example by a co-ordination means, coupling 307 and moving means 308 is also provided.

Moving means 308 in this example is formed in stainless steel, the coupler 307 being provided in carbon fibre.

Spring 311 is provided to bias the rollers for convergent movement and a rack and pinion arrangement, Including rack 309 and pinion wheel 310, is provided to assist divergent movement.

z this example the pinion wheel Includes pin 312 which positions in a slot, slot 313, in handle 314 of moving means 308. The pinion wheel and handle share a common axis in this example and, as will be explained in more detail below, may, to a certain extent, rotate independently of each other.

As will be appreclated, under the influence of spring 311, coupling 307 will draw rollers 302 and 303 along the pathways in a convergent movement relative to a line positioned In channel 304. Pinlon wheel 310 will accordingly be rotsted by Snterengagernent with rack 309.

Though pinion wheel 310 and handle 314 share a common axis of rotation in this example, the interrelationship of slot 313 and pin 312 is such that under convergent movement of the rollers towards the jammed condition, pinion wheel 310 and pin 312 will consequentially rotate, pin 312 moving within slot 313 without creating a consequential rotational movement of handle 314.

Indeed, the arrangement of pin 312 and slot 313 Is such that feeding out and feeding back of a line through channel 304 may take place more or less in the manner described above in relation to other embodiments of the invention without consequential rotational movement of the handle.

However, should an operator encounter some difficulty in attempting to feed a line back through the channel, for instance where the line has been jammed or is jammed against the rollers under relatively heavy loads, moving means 308 may be actuated to assist release of the rollers from the jammed condition.

As will be appreciated, when the rollers are in the jammed condition, pin 312 positions relatively closely to end 316 of the slot. Thus, to impart divergent movement to the rollers in this example, an operator merely pivots handle 314 more or less in the direction of arrow 317 to an open position. This pivotal movement causes handle and wheel to interlock through the engagement of pin 312 at slot end 316 and allows pinion wheel 310 to drive rack 309 so moving coupling and rollers divergently on the pathway.

It should be well appreciated that in other embodiments of the invention moving means may be provided which are actuable to assist divergent movement using integers other than pivoting arms, racks and pinions and the like. h other embodiments typical clutch mechanisms, ratchet mechanisms and the like are provided by which the moving means are actuable to effect convergent movement, divergent movement or either or both movements according to the requirements of a user.

Turning now to consider Figures 9 and 10, a further embodiment of the invention is shown. As will be seen, this embodiment of the invention includes two runner means, namely rollers 400 and 401, each moveable in pathways substantially in line with dotted lines 402 and 403, respectively.

The channel in this example is defined more or less in line with dotted line 40S and as such is bounded not only by rollers 400 and 401 but also walls 406 and 407 and base plate 408.

In this example of the invention, a size of the channel is relatively restricted as ttwe rollers move towards end 409 of block 399 and relatively enlarged as the rollers move towards end 410 of the block.

in order to coordinate the relatively convergent and divergent movement of the runner means, roller 400 in relation to roller 401, a cozrdinatlon means Is provided in this Instance, as coupling plate 411.

Included in coupling plate 411 are recesses 412 and 413. An enlargement, finger 414, sits in slot 413 to ensure, to a working tolerance, that the plate can move between ends 409 and 410 of block 399 in a predetermined path, in this example preferably substantially without twisting Slots are also provided in base plate 408. These are shown as slots 416 and 417. Through these base plate slots, pins 418 and 419 extend in this example, The pins mount rollers 400 and 401, respectively. The enlarged heads provided at the base of each pin rum in further recesses formed in the sub plate 420. These recesses are marked as recesses 421 and 422. The juxtaposition of the shank and head portions of pins 418 and 419 with Sub plate recesses 421 and 422 and base plate slots 416 and 417 assists in positioning the rollers for movement in the pathways.

The pins also extend through coupling plate 411 and the rollers rest on the plate in this example. Thus it will be appreciated that by moving the coupling plate between ends 409 and 410 of block 399, so a user wlll cause the rollers to converge and diverge in relation to each other.

The rollers will, of course. converge and diverge in relation to a line positioned in the channel and coupling plate 411, maintained more or less in the orlentatial shown in the drawings throughout this movement by interlocklng of finger 411 with guide slot 415, will ensure that the rate of convergence or divergence of each of the rollers to restrict or enlarge a size of the channel is more or less even.

in order to assist the relative convergent movement of the runner means, guide means are provided in this instance as deflector means against which the rollers press in the jammed condition. The deflectors in this example are provided by walls 406 and 407. The walls are positioned to ensure that they and not pins 418 and 419 take the strain when the rollers and a line are In the jammed condition.

Line guide means are also provided in this embodiment, the line guide means in this example being shown as saddle portion 423, the saddle assisting the positioning of a line for movement in the channel.

Unlike the other embodiments of this invention mentioned earlier, the channel provided by the example shown in Figures 9 and 10 is in use open outwardly to one side. This assists the receiving and releasing of a line during use and is particularly advantageous where quick, substantially one handed engagement and release is required. To facilitate quick engagement, the rollers are preferably provided with a rounded edge towards the open portion of the channel.

h use this example of the invention operates in much the same way as other examples. Thus, as a line feeding out of the channel contacts one of the rollers, so that roller is drawn down its pathway in a convergent movement.

However, because of the provision of coupling plate 411, movement of one roller will cause movement of another roller, each roller either converging or diverging relative to the other.

As the rollers converge, so they will contact the deflector portions, walls 406 and 407, and under continued movement between them restrict a size of the channel so that further movement of the line out of the channel will be interrupted by the jamming of the line between rollers and jamming of rollers between walls, in-this example.

Release of the line takes place in much the same manner as In other embodiments of the invention, though the open sided nature of the channel does provide an extra option. Thus, the line may be released from the jammed condition merely by pulling back on it to cause movement back through the channel and thus a divergent movement of the rollers in the pathways.

Further, the provision of the co-ordination means of this example provides further advantage for quick engagement and release of lines; an operator may manipulate coupling plate 411 back and forth along the channel so to hasten engagement and release.

As will be appreciated, various combinations of these methods of release may be employed according to the conditions of use at the time.

Thus it t111 be appreciated that by this invention there is provided a relatively simple yet effective engagement means which may be used to control the feeding out of a line and which in at least one embodiment is relatively simple in its construction and provides for relatively secure engagement of a line while reducing damage to the line occasioned by fraying and the like from contact with sharp engaging portions such as those found in conventional cleats4 The invention also provides advantage in that It may be constructed In a relatively unobtrusive form without sharp edges or portions which might catch or jam when they are not required to do so. Furthermore, in at least one embodiment the invention may be provided for relatively simple one handed operation. This particular advantage for the one person boating field.

This invention has been described in relation to a number of embodiments. These are shown by way of example only and are not intended to be at all limiting. Different combinations of features may be used in other embodiments and other embodiments will include other altemative features and modificatlons and improvements.

Such alternatives, modifications and improvements are envisaged and are intended to be incorporated into the invention without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed herein.

It is to be clearly understood that there are no particular features of the foregoing specification, or of any claims appended hereto, which are at present regarded as being essential to the performance of the present invention, and that any one or more of such features or combinations thereof may therefore be included in, added to, omitted from or deleted from any of such claims if and when amended during the prosecution of this application or in the filing or prosecution of any divisional application based thereon. Furthermore the manner in which any of ;uch features of the specification or claims are described or defined may be amended, broadened or otherwise modified in any manner which falls within the knowledge of a person skilled in the relevant art, for example so as to encompass, either implicitly or explicitly, equivalents or generalisations thereof.

Claims (36)

CLAIMS:

1. A line jamming apparatus including a feeder channel through which a line may be fed in use and at least one runner means movable in a pathway, at least a part of said pathway positioned to in use enable convergent movement of said runner means relative to the movement of a line moving out through said channel and divergent movement of said runner means relative to the movement of a line moving back through said channel, said runner means in use contactable with said line moving out of said channel and movable in said pathway relatively to restrict a size of said channel and jam said line therein, movement of the line out said channel being interrupted by said runner means in the jammed condition.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said runner means is in use divergently movable in said pathway relatively to enlarge a size of said channel and unjam said line, movement of the line back through the channel being substantially uninterrupted by said runner means in the unjammed condition.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein said runner means is movable in said pathway by rolling and/or sliding.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1,2 or 3 wherein said runner means is releasably positionable in said pathway substantially to rest in an unjammed condition, movement of said line in said channel substantially uninterrupted by said runner means in the rest position.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein said runner means is rotatable in said pathway in the rest position.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 or 5 wherein detent means are provided to assist location of the runner means in the rest position.

7. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said runner means is positioned substantially transversely of said channel at least in said jammed condition.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein said runner means is provided as a rotatable roller of substantially cylindrical configuration, an axis of rotation of said roller directed substantially transversely of said channel at least in said jammed condition.

9. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim including substantially opposed spaced apart wall portions between which said pathway is defined, said runner means positioned therebetween.

10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein said wall portions partially define said channel.

11. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim including a floor portion, said line pressed between said runner means and said floor portion in the jammed condition.

12. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim including moving means actuable to assist movement of the runner means from the jammed condition.

13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein said moving means is actuable for divergent movement of said runner.

14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 12 when dependent on any of claims 4 to 11 wherein said moving means is actuable for movement between a first position and a second position, said runner means being positioned in said jammed condition when said moving means is in said first position and said runner means being positioned in said rest position when said moving means is in said second position.

15. An apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein said moving means is pivotable between said first position and said second position.

16. An apparatus as claimed in claim 15 wherein said moving means includes a contact portion pivotable about an axis directed substantially transversely relative to said channel, said contact portion pivotable to contact and divergently move said runner.

17. An apparatus as claimed in any of claims 14 to 16 wherein said moving means includes a locator portion at least a part of which is positionable in said pathway to assist location of said runner means in the rest position when said moving means is in said second position.

18. An apparatus as claimed in any of claims 14 to 17 wherein said moving means includes a release portion at least part of which is positionable in said pathway in the rest position when said moving means is in the first position.

19. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 13 to 18 wherein divergent movement of said runner means creates a bias therein for convergent movement.

20. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 13 and 14 wherein said runner means is movable in at least a part of said pathway substantially independently of a movement of said moving means.

21. An apparatus as claimed in claim 20 wherein divergent movement of said runner means creates a bias therein for convergent movement.

22. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein at least two runner means are provided each movable in a pathway, co-ordination means provided to co-ordinate movement of said runner means according to a predetermined pattern.

23. An apparatus as claimed in claim 22 wherein at least a first runner means and a second runner means in use move convergently and divergently, one substantially with the other, according to said predetermined pattern.

24. An apparatus as claimed in claim 22 wherein in use at least a first runner means and a second runner means move convergently and divergently, one relative to the other, according to said predetermined pattern.

25. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 24 wherein roller guide means are provided to deflect said runner means towards the jammed condition, said runner means pressing against said roller guide means in the jammed condition.

26. An apparatus as claimed in claim 25 when dependent on claim 8 wherein said runner means are each provided with an axle portion, said co-ordination means engageable with said axle portion for movement according to said predetermined pattern.

27. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein line guide means are provided to in use assist the positioning of a line for movement in said channel.

28. An apparatus as claimed in claim 27 wherein said line guide means includes saddle means.

29. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said channel is in use open outwardly to at least a first side to assist the receiving and releasing of said line.

30. A line jamming apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

31. A line jamming apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1,2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.

32. A line jamming apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.

33. A line jamming apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings.

34. A line jamming apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 6 of the accompanying drawings.

35. A line jamming apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 8 of the accompanying drawings.

36. A line jamming apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 9 and 10 of the accompanying drawings.