US2849772A - Clothesline clamp - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 2, 1958 E. z` BuKowsKl CLOTHESLINE CLAMP Filed Sept. 9, 1955 INVENToR. 501421,00 Z. BUKOWJ'K/ United States Patent O 2,849,772A cLoTHEsLINE CLAMP I V y y j Edward Z. Bukowski, Wallingford, Coun.

Application September-9, 1955, Serial No.1533,389 yt Claims.V (ci. 524.4126) This invention relates to clampingvdevices and more particularly to a clamp for affl'oopat ,the end of`a-.single line, o'r for detachably holding a vpair of lines together.

One object of this invention is to provide a clamping means of the above nature by means of which the length of the line may be quickly and easily adjusted.

A further object is to provide a device of the above nature, which will be simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, easy to install and manipulate, compact, ornamental in appearance and very eicient and durable m use.

With these and other objects in view, there has been illustrated on the accompanying drawing one form in which the invention may conveniently be embodied in practice.

In the drawing,

Fig. 1 represents a side view of one form of clamping device embodying the present invention when used to form a loop at the end of a line.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the clamping device on an enlarged scale, illustrating an initial step in the attachment of the device to a line.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 illustrating the parts in line-gripping position.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of one of the two slidable members forming the clamping device.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the other slidable member.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view, taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view, taken on the line 7-7 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view, taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view, taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 5.

Referring now to the drawing, in which like reference numerals denote corresponding parts throughout the several views, the numeral 10 indicates generally a line clamp embodying the present invention, comprising a pair of rectangular U-shaped mating slidable block members 11 and 12, which may be made of Wood, metal, plastic or other material. These block members include horizontally extending base web portions 11a and 12a respectively, and two pairs of upstanding generally parallel longitudinal spaced-apart ribs 11b, 11e` and 12b, 12e` respectively. The inside faces of each of the ribs 11b and 12b adjacent their respective webs 11a and 12a are provided with undercut concave channels 13 and 14, of semi-circular cross-section, which are intended to receive portions of a rope or line 15 which is to be clamped therebetween. The inner faces 18, 19 of the ribs 11C and 12c are beveled to prevent the blocks 11, 12 from separating during use, and are also slightly inclined with respect to said ribs so as to provide a wedging action when the two members 11 and 12 are in operative engagement with each other, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The angular inclinations of the wedge faces 18 and 19 are 2,849,772 e Patented Sept.2, `1958 ice,

, 2 v reversed with respect to each other, as shown by..Fig s. 4 and '5. The outer vertical faces 4of ,the ribs 11 c and 12e are each provided with a plurality of vertically/,ferrt'ending zig zag serrations 16 and 17 respectively, which serrations are preferably oriented in a saw-tootharrangef' ment having a onefwayy biteY This bite becomes eective when gripping the line 15 to urge movement of the respective blockvmembers 11 and l12 in adirection such Ias -to increase the wedging .action of thefaces'l'S Operation y', In operation, the block members4 A1l Ianfd'lZ will iirst be placed in engagement with each othertsolthat vtheir webbed sections 11a `and 12a Arespectively are outwardly disposed, and with the 4ribbed section121C''of bleek '11 -ree'eived between the-ribs 12b-and I126erb'loclclz. vith-e respective wedge faces `18 and' r1.9 :will thus lie ini slidable v wedging engagement with each other prior to the inser-g moved longitudinally with respect to each other, vcausing the serrations 16 and 17 to move increasingly closer to the channels 14 and 13 and thereby to exert a biting action on the line 15, as indicated in Fig. 4.

In the embodiment of the invention herein shown, the

clamping device 10 has been used to form a loop at the end of a single line 15, which as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, extends upwardly above the clamping device. v The lefthand portion of the line 15 will be connected to a point of attachment, not shown. Under these conditions, it will be obvious that the effect of any increase in the tension in the left hand portion of the rope 15 will tend to urge the block 12 downwardly with respect to the block 11, due to the fact that the serrations 17 are partially embedded in biting engagement with the rope 15.

It should also be understood that instead of forming a loop at the end of a single line as herein disclosed, the device 10 may, if desired, be used to effect a splice between two separate lines. In that case, a similar wedging action will be produced if the end ofone line were disposed in the channel 13 and the end of the other line were disposed in the channel 14. The tension exerted in the respective lines, will of course be exerted in opposing directions so as to increase the relative wedging action of the two block members 11 and 12.

While there has been disclosed in this specification, one form in which the invention may be embodied, it is to be understood that this form is shown for the purpose of illustration only and that the invention is not limited to the specilic disclosure, but may be modified and embodied in various other equivalent forms without departing from its spirit. In short, the invention includes all the modications and embodiments coming within the y ment with a length of line, an interiorly facing channelextending parallel to and spaced from said -serrated face, and a horizontal inclined wedging face disposed between said serrated face and said channel.

2. The invention as defined in claim l, in which the inclination of the wedging face of one block member is oppositely disposed with respect to the inclination of the wedging face of said other block member.

serrated faces comprise a plurality of transversely disposed saw tooth indentations.

4. In a line clamp, the combination including a pair of elongatedmembers each of which comprise a horizontally disposed web section provided with a pair of spaced generally parallel upstanding ribs, one of saidribs being providedalong its inner yside with a concave channel to receive a line` to be gripped, the other rof said ribs having serrations vextending along its outer side-fory grippingengagement -with a line, the inner side of said last mentioned rib being inclined horizontally with respect to said channel, whereby relative longitudinal slidable movement between said members will tend to in*- crease the gripping engagement between the serrations on one of saidmembers and a line disposed in the channely of the other ofV said members.

' ",5. Ina line clamp, the combination comprising a pair of juxtaposed relatively slidable U-shaped block members, each-,ofsaid members having an outer at web provided with an upstanding straight rib on one side edge,

the opposite edge of each web being provided with an upstanding rib having an inwardly inclined wedge face on its inner side and a serrated outer face, whereby relative slidable movement between said block members will provide a clamping engagement upon a line disposed between said straight ribs and the serrated faces of said block members, respectively.

6. The invention as defined in claim 5, in which said inclined wedge ,faces are provided with undercut bevels to prevent separation of said blocks when the line is in place.

v References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Greatt Britain Dec. 9, 1947

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