US1709910A

US1709910A - Rope clamp

Info

Publication number: US1709910A
Application number: US285914A
Authority: US
Inventors: Charles H Gray
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1928-06-16
Filing date: 1928-06-16
Publication date: 1929-04-23
Anticipated expiration: 1946-04-23

Description

April 23, 1929. c," GRAY 1,709,910

ROPE CLAMP Fi led June 16, 1928 im/enrich I mus/1601 s --m --w Patented Apr. 23, 1929.

CHARLES H. GRAY, OF MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA.

ROPE CLAMP.

Application filed June 16,

This invention relates generally to improvements in rope clamps and also to a clamp for securing an anchor lifting rope in various positions. One feature of the invention includes means by which when the device is arranged to project beyond the side of a Water craft or is placed in an equivalent position, so that the rope provides substantially vertical and horizontal portions and while a downward pressure is being exerted on the horizontal portion, the vertical portion can be raised notwithstanding the fact that the clamp is engaging the rope. Another feature is that when an upward pull is given on the horizontal. portion the clamp is released and the rope may be lowered, the arrangement further being such that at all other times the clamp is operative to secure the vertical portion of the rope at any desired degree of elevation.

Features of the invention include the details of construction as well as the arrange ment of the parts to gain compactness and to make for ease of assembly and cheapness in manufacture.

Features, objects and advantages of the invention will. appear in the description of the drawings forming a part of this application, and in said drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view showing the device applied to the prow of a water craft;

Figure 2 .is a section substantially on line 2 2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged section corre sponding to Figure 2 but showing the position of the elements when the clamp is released; and

Figure 4 is a detailed vertical section on line 44 of Figure 1 illustrating the means for clamping the frame.

The device has found practical application as a means for clamping the anchor rope of a water craft, and therefore is shown applied to a water craft in this instance to the prow thereof. It will be understood, however, that the device is not limited to this particular use although the arrangement whereby it may be clamped isconsidered a feature of the invention.

The prow of the water craft is generally indicated at 1. A frame is formed from a strip of metal bent upon itself to provide an outer portion having parallel sides 5 and an inner portion having divergent sides 6. The

" sides 6 are engaged flatly against the corresponding sides of the prow of the boat.

the invention.

1928. Serial No, 285,914.

Horizontal extensions 7 secure the frame at the forward portion against downward movement, and clamps secure the terminals of the arm 6 as best shown in Figure 4. As will be seen, the clamps are made adjustable to fit different widths of gunnels. Each clamp comprises an L-shaped element arranged as shown and connected by a rivet 9 to the arm 6, and the arm 8 of this element has a threaded opening. A second L-shaped element 10 is arranged as shown across the top of the arm 8 and has a slot 11 traversed by a binding screw 12 which cooperates with the threaded opening of the element 8. In the vertical arm of the element 10 is a clamping screw 15 right angularly related to the screw 12 and in the same plane therewith. The adjustment for different widths of gunnels may be had by means of the slot 11 and screw 12 while the clampingaction is obtained by the element 15.

A very important feature of the invention is the rope clamping arrangement between the arms 5, and all "details of this construction are claimed, as well as the general relations of the parts. A frame plate is placed against the inner surface of each arm 5 and extends above and below the arm as best. shown in Figure 3. Between these plates the mechanism is arranged, and ajournal 21 secures the plates as well as supports pulley 22 and lever 23. A pivot 24: supports the clamping element 25. It will, therefore, be seen that two fastening devices secure the plates 20, pulley 22, lever 23 and clamping element 25. This is a feature of Another feature of the invention is that a single pivot supports the lever 23 as well as the pulley 22. The lever in this instance is composed of strip-like material bent upon itself as at 26 to provide opposite arms 27 each of which is rockable upon the journal 21 as shown. The arms thus respectively lie at oppositesides of the pulley and fiatly against the corresponding flat faces of the pulley. This is a very compact construction which makes the totalwidth of the journal andqpivot small. That end of the lever which is to be manipulated by the free or unweighted end of the rope lies above the arms 5 and the opposite end lies below, asbest shown in Figures 2 and 3. The clamp is also composed of a single piece of metal bent upon itself as at 28, the bent portionbeing cut awayas at 31 to provide a stop against Which a correspending portion 32 of a. link 33 engages in the manner shown in Figure 3 to limit the movement of the eiement to open position. This link 33 is connected by pivot 34 to the clamp 25, and by pivot 35 to t a. \io'iz'nvmrdly extending portion of the lever 2 A block 36 is held by a pin 3'? betwe -n the r f the element 25 substantially as sho Figure 3, and the inner edge of this block serrated as at The working face of this clamping block is so related to the periphery of the pulley that the most effective clumping engagement is obtained at a point above a line A drawn through the pivot, see Figure 2, so that a Wedging action obtained which is most effective at a point adjacent the line A--A but above it. The result is that any weight applied to the part b of the rope in direction of the arrow tends to increase the clamping action.

The rope passes upwardly between the arms27 of the lever, over the pulley 22 and then horizontally between the arms of the lever, and over a small rolier 4'1 and between this roller and the bend portion 26 of the lever The bond portion 26 is curved substantially as shown to reduce friction.

lifter passing between the element ll and the liiend portion, the rope passes into the vessel and may be attached to a cleat, if desired. This attachment, however, 1s not necessary. It

will be noted that the lever forms a guile for the rope and that the rope passes tvi-iee through the lever. In order to cause the clamp 26 to normally occupy the position shown in Figure 2, a spring 42 is provided. In this instance, the spring .is connected by one end at 43 to one of the arms 27 of the lever, and by the opposite end to the face of frame plate 20. An extra bolt 44 cross-com meets the arms 2 as indicated. The construction of the device is simple, and this simplicity is a feature of the invention, as well as the mechanical relation of the parts giving compactness and power.

It will be seen that the rope can be pulled in direction of the arrow C and the anchor raised, notwithstanding the factthat a downward pressure is applied to the lever causing the clamp 25 to be pressed against the rope. When the element 0 is raised, the lever is rocked to a position shown in Figure 3 and the clamp is released.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of an anchor guard which also forms a brace for more securely fastening the rope clamp supporting frame to the vessel. To this end, a guard member is formed from a single strip of n'icial bent upon itself as at 50 and attached as by a screw 51 to the prow of the boat adjacent the water line or therebelow. By this bending two arms 52 are provided extending upwardly and respectively lying at opposite sides of the elements 5 of the frame. Each arm is perforated, and the journal 21 travthe perforations, the said journal being in the form of a headed bolt having the head clampingly engaging one of the guard arms and having a nut at the opposite end in threaded engagement therewith and clampingly engaging the other guard or brace arm. In this manner the journal of the device also acts as an attaching means for the anchor guard and brace. This is an important feature of the invention. The object of the guard is to prevent the anchor from hammering against the prow of the vessel when in raised position, either when the boatis in motion or at rest. The spaced relation of the arms 52 prevents interference with the rope.

I claim as my invention:

l. A frame, a pulley, a journal carried by the frame and supporting the pulley, a lever pivoted upon the journal, a link connected to the lover, a pivot carried by the frame, and a clamp swingahle upon the pivot and connected to the link, and arranged to en 'gage a rope passing over the pulley.

2. A. frame, a pulley, a journal carried by the frame and supporting the pulley, a lever p votally supported upon the frame, a link voted to the lever at. one side of the journal, a pivot carried by the frame on the same side of the journal as the link, a clamp swin-nble upon the pivot and connected at one side of the pivot to the link, and extending toward the pulley and arranged to have its opposite side engage and clamp a ropepassing over the pulley, the long axes of clamp and lever extending substantially in the same direction.

3. A frame, a pulley, a journal carried by the frame and supporting the pulley, a lever svvingalole upon the journal, a link pivoted to the lever at one side of the journal, a pivot carried by the frame on the same side of the journal as the link, a clamp 'able upon the pivot and connected at one c. of the pivot to the lever, and extending toward the pulley and arranged to have its opposite side engage and clamp a rope passing over the pulley, and a spring connected to normally urge the elements in direction for clamping.

l. A frame, apulley, a journal carried by the frame and supporting the pulley, a

lever pivoted upon the journal, a link connected to the lever, a pivot carried by the frame, and a clamp swingable upon the pivot and connected to the link and arranged to engage a rope passing over the pulley, the arrangement being such that the long axes of lever and clamp are convergent toward one end of the lever when the clamp is in clamping position. i

A frame, a pulley, a journal carried by the frame and supporting the pulley, a lever as a frame pivoted upon the journal and having sides, one opposed to each flat side of the pulley, and having a guide at one side of the journal, a link connected to the lever at the opposite side of the journal, a pivot carried by the frame on the same side of the journal as the link, and a clamp swingablc upon the pivot and connected at one side of its pivot, to the link, and arranged to have its opposite side engage a rope passing over the pulley, the arrangement being such that the rope passes through the lever, then over the pulley between the clamp and the pulley, thence through the guide and through the lever in an opposite direction, the sides of the frame assisting to prevent lateral disengagement of the rope from the pulley.

6. A frame, a pulley, a journal carried by the frame and supporting the pulley, a lever pivoted upon the journal and having a guide at one side of the journal, a link connected to the lever at the opposite side of the journal, a pivot carried by the frame on the same side of the journal as the link, and a clamp swingable upon the pivot and connected at one side of its pivot, to the link, and arranged. to have its opposite side engage a rope passing over the pulley, the arrangement being such that the lever and clamp always rotate in the same direction as the clamp moves respectively to and from clamping position.

7. A frame providing spaced side elements, a pulley between the side elements, a journal. carried by the side elements and supporting the pulley, a frame-like lever cireuniscribing the pulley and pivoted upon the journal and having a rope guide at one side of its pivot, a link pivoted to the lever at the opposite side of the journal, a pivot arranged between the side elements of the frame at that side of the journal opposite the guide, a. clamp swingable upon the pivot and connected at one side of its pivot to the link and arranged to have its opposite side on gage a rope passing over the pulley, the arrangement being such that when the clamp is engaging the rope the long axes of lever and clamp are substantially convergent in direction of the guide.

8. A frame comprising a single length of flatmetal bent upon itself and providing a pair of divergently arranged arms, means upon the arms to detachably secure and support the frame upon the prow of a water craft, a pulley, a journal connecting the arms, and rotatably supporting the pulley a lever pivoted upon the journal and having a guide at one side of the journal, a link pivoted to the lever at the opposite side of the journals, a pivot upon the frame at that side of the journal opposite the guide, a clamp swing-able upon the pivot and pivotally connected on one side of its pivot, with the link, and arranged to engage on the opposite side of the pivot with a rope passing over the pulley, the arrangement being such that the rope after passing over the pulley passes between the journal and clamp pivots, and all movable elements being between the arms of the frame.

9. A frame, a pulley, a journal carried by the frame and rotatably supporting the pnl ley, a lever pivoted upon the journal, :1 link pivoted to the lever, a pivot; upon the frame, a clamp swingable upon the pivot and pivotally connected with the link, and arranged to engage and clamp a rope passing over the pulley, said lever having a diametric relation to the pulley journal, and comprising a single piece of material bent upon itself and providing arms arranged on opposite fiat sides of the pulley, a roller journaled between the arms adjacent said bend-- end, and forming therewith a closed guide, the opposite ends of the lever being secured by the pivotal connection of said link.

10. A frame comprising a singlelengt-h of flat metal bent upon itself and embodying a pair of divergently arranged arms, means upon the arms to detachably secure and support the frame in the prow of a water craft, a pulley, a journal arranged crosswise ot' the arms, and rotatably supporting the putley between the arms, a lever diametrically related to the journal and formed from a single piece of material bent upon itself and providing arms one at each side of and engaging against a corresponding flat face of the pulley and pivoted upon the pulley jour-' nal, the bend-end of the lever having a roller pivoted there-adjacent and forming there with a rope guide, a link pivoted to and connecting the free end of the lever at the opposite side of the journal, a pivot upon the frame at that side of the journal opposite the guide, a clamp swingable upon the pivot and pivotally connected on one side of the pivot with the link, and extending generally in the same direction as the lever and arranged to engage on the opposite side of the pivot with a rope passing over the pulley, the arrangement being such that the rope passes twice between the arms of the lever respectively in opposite directions and re s 'iectively at opposite sides of the journal.

11. A frame providing opposed arms, a pulley, a journal arranged crosswise of the arms and rotatably supporting the pulley between the arms, a lever diametrically related .to the journal and formed from a single piece of material bent upon itself and providing arms one at each side of and engaging against a corresponding fiat face of the pulley and pivoted upon the pulley journal, the bend-end of the lever having a roller pivoted there-adjacent and forming therewith a rope guide, a link pivoted to and connecting the free end of the lever at the opposite side of the journal, a pivot upon the frame at that side of the journal opposite the guide, a clamp swingable upon the pivot and pivotally connected on one side of the pivot with the link, and extending generally in the same direction as the lever and arranged to, engage on the opposite side of the pivot with a rope passing over the pulley, the arrangement being such that the rope passes twice between the arms of the lever respectively in opposite directions and respectively at opposite sides of the journal, so that pressure by the rope against the guide roller in direction of the frame causes the clamp to advance to clamping position.

12. A frame, a pulley, a journal carried by the frame and rotatably supporting the pulley, a lever pivoted upon the pulley journal, and having a guide at one side of its pivot, a link pivoted to the lever at the opposite side of its pivot, a clamp pivoted upon the frame at that side of the pulley journal opposite the guide, and extending generally in the same direction as the lever, said clamp connected at one side of its pivot with the link, and arranged to engage the opposite side of its pivot with a rope passing over the pulley, the arrangement being such that the rope, after passing over and above the pulley, passes through the guide so that pressure by the rope exerted in one direction causes the clamp to advance to clamping position, and so that pressure by the rope in opposite direction retracts the clamp.

13. A frame providing spaced side elements, a pulley between the elements and a l zjournal carried by the elements and supporting the pulley, a frame-like lever circumscribing the pulley and pivoted upon the journal, and having a guide at one side of its pivot, the long axis of the lever being substantially diametric to the journal, a link pivoted to the lever at the opposite side of the journal, a pivot arranged between the elements of the frame at that side of the journal opposite the guide, a clamp swingable upon the pivot and connected at one side of the pivot to the link and arranged to have its opposite side engage a rope passing over the pulley, the arrangement being such that when the device is in operative position the clamp lies over the lever at one side of the journal, and the long axis of the lever and clamp are convergent in direction of the guide when the clamp is engaging a rope, with the axis of the clamp substantially tangent to the periphery of the pulley.

14. A frame, a'journ'al carried by the frame and rotatably supporting the pulley, a lever formed from a single piece of metal bent upon itself and circumscribing the pulley and pivoted upon the pulley journal, and having a roller forming with the bent portion of the frame a guide arranged at one side of the pulley journal, a link pivoted to and connecting the free ends of the frame lever at the opposite side of the pulley jou1- nal, a clamp pivoted upon the frame at that side of the pulley journal opposite the guide and extending generally in the same direction as the lever, said clamp connected at one side of its pivot to the link and arranged to engage at the opposite side of its pivot with a rope passing over the pulley, the arrangen'ient being such that after the rope passes over the pulley then between the lamp and pulley, it passes through the guide, so that pressure by the rope against the guide roller in a direction toward the frame causes the clamp to advance to clamping position, and pressure by the rope against the bend-end reverses clamp movement.

15. A device of the class described comprising a frame, a pulley, a journal held in the frame, a lever, the lever and pulley being movabiy mounted upon the journal, a clamp pivoted upon the frame and cooper-able with the pulley, and a link connecting the clamp with the lever, so that when the lever is moved in one direction the clamp will engage a rope passing over the pulley.

16. In combination with a boat, a frame attached thereto and projecting therebeyond, a rope clamping device carried by the frame and including a pulley having a journal passing through the frame, a guard connected at one end to the boat and having its opposite end secured upon the pulley journal.

17. In combination with a boat, a frame attached thereto and projecting therebeyond, a rope clamping device carried by the frame and including a pulley having a journal passing through the frame, a guard providing two arms and connected at one end to the boat and having arms lying at opposite sides of the frame and secured upon the pulley journal.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 24th day of May, 1928.

CHARLES H. GRAY.