US1410759A - Cable clamp - Google Patents

Description

'C. W. AND J. T; KEMPER.

CABLE GLAIVIP. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 3, I920.

} Patented Mar. 28, 1922.

ATTORNEY or pulls, andespecial ar'companving drawings, in which v UNI ED STATES PAT CHARLES W. KEMPER AND JOHN T. KEIVIPER, OF ALAMEDA, CALIFORNIA.

" CABLE CLAMP.

'- Specification of Letters Patent. Pate ted 31 28 1922 Application filed November 3, 1920. Serial No. 421,440.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, CHARLES W. KnMrnR and JOHN T. KEMPER, citizensof the United States, residing at Alameda, in the county of Alameda and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Cable Clamps, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a cable clamp and especially to imorovements on the structure shown in our atent No. 1,366,007, dated January 18, 1921, application for which was filed June 17 1919.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a simple, substantial cable clamp whereby cable ends may be effectively secured. and prevented from accidentally separating when subject-ed to heavy strains y to provide what may be termed a unit clamp, that is a clamp which does not require bolts, nuts, etc., when in use and which does not employ any dotachable or removable parts.

Another object oft-he invention is to provide a cable clamp which functions like a wedge and which employs jamming rollers to secure the cable ends; further a clamp which is self locking and automatically increases its clamping action in proportion to the pull. exertedf Another object of the invention is to pro vide means for securing the rollers against removal when the clamp is not in use; also to provide means for securin r the rollers againstreleasing or retrograde movement when in jamming position; further to retain the rollers elevated. at all times, or in a position where they will not interfere with the :treeinsertion or removal of: the cable ends. 40

The invention consists of the parts and Other objects will hereinafter appear.

the construction, combination and arrangeinent of partsas hereinafter more fully de scribed and cla med, having reference to the Fig. 1 is a side elevation partially in section. showing the clamp in position on. a.

\ cable.

Fig. 2 is a cross section on line 2--2, Fig; 1. Fig. 3 is a longitudinalplan section on line 3+3, Fig. 1.

Fig. {l is a perspective view of the roller lock. 7 7

Referring to the drawings in detail, A

indicates in general the clamp forming the subject matter of the present application.

extend toward each other and terminate in the longitudinal central chamber 6.

The upper section B consists of a horizontal portion 7 and an inclined portion 8. This inclined portion forms an acute angle with relation'to the cable ends 9 and 10, passing through the clamp, and is provided for the reception of a roller 11. The lower section C is similar to the upper section B as it also conslsts of a horlzontal SGCtlOIl, as indicated 'at- 7*, a'ndanangular inclined section 8* whichalsoforms an .acute angle with relation to the cable s. The inclined inner faces formed by the sect-ions 8 and 8 are parallel asare also the inner horizontal facesforn'icd by the sections 7 and 7.

There are-two rollers employed, the one indicated as 11, and a second as 11%. The opposite ends of the clamp are open, or in other words it maybe stated that triangular shaped. pockets terminate in openings permit freeinsertion of the rollers 11 and These rollers are constructed substantially asshownin Figs. 1, 2 and 3. Their faces are slightly concaved as (at- 12 to conform tothe contour of the cables and each roller is provided with a central pin 14, the ends of which extend slightly beyond the parallel faces of the'rollers. The rollers are free to move longitudinally in the trithrough the respective ends of the clamp to angular chambers in the space formed between the side walls2 and 3, as the width oithe respective rollers is slightly less than the width of the chambers t and 5, Formed in each side wall is achannel 15. These channels-are provided for the reception of the projecting pin ends 14, and they serve. I the function of guiding the respective rollers when these are moved longitudinally within the respective chambers. The channels which extend in a diagonal direction arev disposed on the same angle as the inner faces of the inclined sections 8 and 8 and the face of the respective rollers will therefore engage said interior inclined faces when movement is transmitted to the same in a longi" tudinal direction; the channels forming no other function but that of a. guide and a "support for the respective rollers.

To prevent weakening of the side walls 2 and 3. offset portions are formed in the side walls as indicated at 16, and the channels are formed therein. This is of im ortance as considerable strain is exertec by the rollers when in gripping engagement with the respective cable ends. To prevent removal of the rollers with relation to the respective chambers, we provide a roller lock such as indicated in Figs. 1, 3 and 4. This lock is constructed of sheet metal and consists of a clip substantially as shown in Fig. 4. The legs of the clip. indicated at 17. are inserted in the channels 15 and the ends are then bent over or clinched as indicated at 18. The head 19 of the clip locks the clip against inward movement, while the clinched over portion 18 secures the clip against outward movement. The head of the clip, in this manner. tonne a closure for the end of the channels 15. or in other werds' a stop which prevents .endwise renioval of the rollers. The ofi'set portions 16 are provided with a slot at one end. as indicated at 20. These slots permit clinching or bending of the inner ends of the legs of the clip, as indicated at 18, and they also permit insertion ofa split cotter pin such as shown at 21. The cotter pin normally assumes the position shown in Figs. 1 and 3 whenthe clamp is not in use so as to hold the rollers elevated and in their outermost positions. but the cotter pins are removed when the clamp is applied to a cable as shown in Fig. 1. and they are replaced behind the rollers as will hereinafter be described. to secrire the rollers against being accidentally released when in clampingor jamming position. v v I In actual operation, cmployinga clamp such as shown in Fifi. 1, if it is desired to secure a pair of cable ends, it isaccomplished by slipping the cable ends through the clamp as shown; the rollers 11 and 11 being held in their outermost positions when the cable ends are inserted b v means of a cotter pin 21.. The momentthe cable ends are. in position. cotter pins 21 are removed and any suitable tool is inserted through the respective ends of the clamps to drive the rollers forward into engagement With the cables and the interior inclined faces 8 and 8". A wedge action is in mismann nprbd ee whi h t ro t eile'ctivelv the res ecti ve cables; the cane ends becoming jahimed between the heriz'aneu faces 7. 7 .eiid the respectii e rhllersh arid 11. men therollers have drivel intd pdsltioii, it is desirable to at ain insert the (setter ins. They are, in this instance inserted ehindthe runes as when as placed scare the rulers in jamming position and prevent accidental release of the same, that isa cable such as here shown when serving as a guy line may be subjected to considerable vibration and varying strains, such strains might have a tendency to release the rollers. but such re lease is of course prevented in this instance by the cotter pins.

The present clamp is an improvement over that shown in our copending application, previously referred to. In actual experience we found that considerable trouble was encountered when applying the clamp. first due to the, fact that the rollers would have to be inserted after the clamp has been applied; secondly no means were provided for securing the rollers when in jamming position; third, loss ofthe rollers by escaping tl'lrough the ends would sometimes happen if one cable 'end was pulled free. All or these features proved decidedly objectionable in actual practice, hence the improved structi'ire here shown.

For instance. first. by forming a channel in each side wall and by providing a pin on each roller. it is obvious that the rollers will always he held in an elevated position where they will not interfere withthe free insertion or removalof the cable ends; secondly .by providing the clips shown in Fig. 4. loss of either roller will be prevented as they cannot escape through the open ends of the clamp: third, by slotting the channel portions. or the offset sections 16 forming the same. as indicated at 20. it is possible to insert a cotter pin which will secure the rollers either in released position or in 'amming position; the latter being deci edly advantageous as it positively prevents accidental release of either roller.

The pin shown at 14 ma v' be formed integral with the respective rollers, or may be inserted therein. The, face of the rollers should be prefcrablv slightly corrugated to form a good grip'iing surface between the inclined faces and the cables: the clamps proper ma-v be constructed of malleable iron. steel or the like} Cored openings may be formed as at 22 to permit the insertion of a driving tool when it is desired to release the rollers. While other features of the invention are more or less ecifieally illustrated, we wish it understoo that various changes in form and proportion may be resorted to within the scope of the appended cla iins, similarly that the materials and finish of the several parts employed may be such as the eiiperience and judgment of the manufacturerniajr" dictate or' varying uses may demand.

Various chang'e s may be made in our invention within the sco e of the appeiided claims and some modi cations thereof are disclosed in our two co-pending a plications Serial No. 463,664 and Serial 6. 463,665,

Cir

filed April 22, 1921, which applications are divisions of this application.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent isl. A cable clamp comprising a casing havin an opening therethrough through which cables may be passed, a cable engaging member movable in the opening, guides in the casing, and means on the cable engaging member cooperating with the guides whereby said member is guided.

2. A cable clamp comprising a casing havin i an opening therethrough through which cables may be passed, cable engaging rollers movable in the opening, a guideway in the casing for each of the rollers, and means on the rollers for engaging in the guideways for movably retaining the rollers and guiding them.

3. A cable clamp comprising a casing having an opening therethrough through which fables may be passed, cable engaging rollers movable in the opening, a diagonally extending guideway in the casing for each of the rollers, and means on the rollers for engaging in the guideways for movably retaining the rollers and guiding them.

t. A cable clamp comprising a casing having an opening therethrough through which cables may be passed, cable engaging rollers movable in the opening, a guideway in the casing comprising a channel on opposite sides of the casing having a portion thereof open and aportion thereof closed, means on the roller engaging in the channel for guiding the roller.

5. A cable clamp comprising a casing having an opening therethrough through which cables may be passed, cable engaging rollers movable in the opening, a guideway in the casing comprising a channel on opposite sides of the casing having a portion thereof open and a portion thereof closed, means on the roller engaging in the channel for guiding the roller, and means adapted to be inserted through the open portion of the channel for retaining the roller in or out of its cable engaging position.

6. A cable clamp comprising a casing having an opening therethrough through which cables may be passed, cable engaging rollers movable in the opening, a guideway in the casing comprising a channel on opposite sides of the casing having a portion thereof open and a portion thereof closed, means on the roller engaging in the channel for guiding the roller, channels extending to the end of the casing, and means for closing the openings in the casing to prevent removal of the rollers.

7. A cable clamp comprising interspaced side sections, and integral top and bottom sections, a pair of open ended longitudinally extending triangular shaped chambers formed between the side, top and bottom sections through which a pair of cable ends are adapted to be extended, the apexes of said triangular shaped chambers extending toward each other and terminating in a central communicating passage, a roller insertable in each triangular shaped chamber, a pair of guideways formed in the side sections of the clamp and at each end thereof and means on each roller extending into said guideways.

8. A cable clamp comprising interspaeed side sections, and integral top and bottom sections, a pair of open ended longitudinally extending triangular shaped chambers formed between the side, top and bottom sections through which a pair of cable ends are adapted to be extended, the apexes of said triangular shaped chambers extending toward each other and terminating in a central communicating passage, a roller insertable in each triangular shaped chamber, a pair of. guideways formed in the side sections of the clamp and at each end thereof, and a pin in each roller extending into said guideways.

9. A cable clamp comprising interspaced side sections, and integral top and bottom sections, a pair of open ended longitudinally extending triangular shaped chambers formed between the side, top and bottom sections through which a pair of cable ends are adapted to be extended, the apexes of said triangular shaped chambers extending toward each other and terminating in a central communicating passage, a roller insertable in each trian ular shaped chamber, a pair of guideways tormed in the side sections of the clamp and at each end thereof, a pin in each roller extending into said guideways, and a stop member at the end of each guideway to prevent endwise removal of the rollers.

CHARLES lV. KEMPER. JOHN T. KEMPER.

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