GB2242500A - Connecting shackle - Google Patents

Abstract

Releasable shackle for connecting wire rope or other tackle, particularly for heavy duty applications has two U shaped link portions 10, 12 assembled to form a closed link by inserting a coupling pin 34 through aligned apertures in matingly shaped end formations 26-30 of limbs 14-20 of the portions. The apertures in one pair of limbs may be smaller than those in the other pair and the pin may have a correspondingly stepped diameter. The pin is releasably retained by a cotter pin 36. <IMAGE>

Description

CONNECTING SHACKLE This invention relates to releasable connecting shackles for use with rope or cable tackle, particularly but not exclusively for connecting together wire rope ends provided with eyes or eyed end fittings and mainly for larger sizes of wire, rope, e.g. in excess of 64mm overall diameter for carrying substantial working loads e.g. in excess of 100 tonnes.

The object of the invention is to provide a shackle which is strong and durable. convenient and effective in use, and safe in handling and operation.

According to the invention there is provided a releasable shackle comprising separable first and second matching C or S shaped link portions operatively assembled to form a closed connecting link, a coupling pin received in aligned apertures of said portions on assembly to secure them together, and securing means engageable with the pin to prevent its displacement in use.

Preferably said link portions are U shaped to provide an oval lin with the coupling pin dispose transversely o the shorter axis of the oval so t when the lin'e is in tension the pin carries swear forces.

Ends of limbs of the link portions defining said apertures may be shaped to have mating tongue and groove or other male and female formations.

Conveniently the aligned apertures in said formations of one pair of mating limbs are smaller than in those of the other mating pair of limbs and the pin is sized in complementary fashion whereby it can only be inserted and withdrawn from one side of the lin.

Preferably each said portion is provided with a male or tongue formation on one limb and a female or groove formation on the other limb so that their assembly in correct relationship is assured.

The securing means may comprise a non-load carrying cotter pin received in a through bore of the coupling pin within the link on assembly, and the latter pin may further include a second transverse through bore adjacent one end to facilitate its removal from the link by means of a rope, bar or the like.

An example of the invention is now more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a plan view of an assembled shackle, Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof, rigure 3 is a section on line A A of Figure 1, and ure 4 is z side view of a coupling pin of the shac!'l.

The shackle shown in the drawings comprises a pair of matched U shaped forged link portions 10, 12 which assenble together to form an oval link.

Each portion has a pair of spacer parallel limbs 14,16 : 16,20 which are substantially rectangular in overall section rerging with circular section curve median parts 22,24.

The limbs terminate in mating tongue and groove formations, limb 14 of portion 10 (uppermost as viewed in Figure 1) having a male or tongur formation 26 mating witi a female or groove formation 28 of li, b 20 of the other link portion 12 and the latter having a tongue formation 30 on its limb 16 (lowermost as viewed in figure 1) mating with groove formation 32 of portion 10.

Said formations are provided with apertures which are aligned on assembly to receive a coupling pin 34 for securing the assembled portions together, the pin extending transversely of the link i.e. across its shortest axis so that it is in shear when the link is under tension loading.

The arrangement of the mating formations ensures that the two link portions must always be assembled together in correct relationship. The aligned apertures in the mated formations 30 and 32 of limbs 18 and 16 are of slightly less diameter than those in mated formations 26 and 26 of limbs 14 and 20 and the pin 34 is stepped in diameter to correspond, thus it can only be inserted and withdrawn from one side, the upper side as viewed in rigure 1.

When pin 34 is fully home its ends are flush with the outer side faces of the link so that there are no projections which could cause snagging or handling problems in operation of tackle or rigging including the link.

Pin 34 is retained in place by securing means, in this example z single cotter pin 35 inserted into e first tran & -v-rse through bore 3 (-i;.4) ci pIn 34 adjacent t: inner face of limb 20 on assembly.

The shackle will commonly be used with heavy duty wire ropes having eyed ends or end fittings for coupling them together. The connection can be speedily and efficiently effected in a positive, simple and effective manner, ease of handling being of particular importance under adverse conditions, e.g. on the rolling deck of a ship or other vessel, possibly in darkness and bad weather conditions, or on an oil rig cr in other hostile environments.

To facilitate disassembly as for uncoupling said wire ropes pin 34 is provided with a second transverse through aperture 40 (rig.4) adjacent its larger diameter end. When uncoupling, cotter pin 36 will first be remove and coupling pin 34 can then be drifted partway out of the aligned apertures of the link until aperture 40 is exposed. The latter aperture can then be used to connect a hook, rod or cord to the pin for pulling it out of the link with the operative standin well clear, thus avoiding risk of injury due to the rotation and curlin of the heavy gauge wire rope when it is released, even when fully slack.

The compact and neat shaping of the shackle helps in avoiding snagging or kinking of the linked ropes or cables and damage to adjacent turns of rope or cable in coiling, or winding it on or off a winch drum or the like.

The preferred construction allows the two link portions 10, 12 to pivot to a substantial degree about the coupling pin axis, the shaping of the formations 26, 28, 30 and 32 permitting action as a hinge joint. This also facilitates coiling, winding and handling of the connected ropes or cables. However, said pivoting movement may not be essential in all applications and the invention also contemplates an operatively rigid joint between the portions on assembly.

Claims (10)

1. A releasable shackle comprising separable first and second matching C or U shaped link portions operatively assembled to form a closed connecting link, a coupling pin received in aligned apertures of said portions on assembly to secure them together, and securing means engageable with the pin to prevent its displacement in use.

2. A shackle as in Claim 1 wherein said link portions are shaped to provide an oval link with the coupling pin disposed transversely on the shorter axis of the oval so that when the link is in tension the pin carries shear forces.

3. A shackle as in Claim 1 or 2 wherein ends of limbs of the link portions defining said apertures are shaped to have mating tongue and groove or other male and female formations.

4. A shackle as in Claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the aligned apertures in one pair of mating limbs of the portions are smaller than those in the other mating pair of limbs and the pin is sized in complementary fashion whereby it can only be inserted and withdrawn from one side of the link.

5. A shackle as in Claim 4 wherein each said portion is provided with a male or tongue formation on one limb and a female or groove formation on the other limb so that their assembly in correct relationship is assured.

6. A shackle as in any preceding claim wherein said portions are shaped to permit relative angular hinging movement thereof about the coupling pin.

7. A shackle as in any preceding claim wherein ends of the coupling pin are flush with outer faces of the link on assembly.

8. A shackle as in any preceding claim wherein the securing means includes a cotter pin locating in a transverse through bore of the coupling pin within the link on assembly.

9. A shackle as in any preceding claim wherein the coupling pin has a transverse through bore adjacent one end to facilitate its withdrawal from the link for disassembly of the shackle.

10. A shackle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.