US3861814A - Coupler for line members - Google Patents

Coupler for line members Download PDF

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Publication number
US3861814A
US3861814A US395223A US39522373A US3861814A US 3861814 A US3861814 A US 3861814A US 395223 A US395223 A US 395223A US 39522373 A US39522373 A US 39522373A US 3861814 A US3861814 A US 3861814A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
opening
line
coil spring
key hole
relatively large
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US395223A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Sidney L Fisher
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
SPIDER STAGING Inc
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to US395223A priority Critical patent/US3861814A/en
Priority to CA203,648A priority patent/CA992728A/en
Priority to GB3041374A priority patent/GB1459348A/en
Priority to ZA00744391A priority patent/ZA744391B/xx
Priority to JP49096942A priority patent/JPS5147813B2/ja
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3861814A publication Critical patent/US3861814A/en
Assigned to SPIDER STAGING, INC., RENTON, WA A CORP. OF WA reassignment SPIDER STAGING, INC., RENTON, WA A CORP. OF WA ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: FISHER, SIDNEY L.
Assigned to U.S. BANK OF WASHINGTON, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION reassignment U.S. BANK OF WASHINGTON, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION SECURITY INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: SPIDER STAGING CORPORATIN, A CORP. OF WA.
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16G—BELTS, CABLES, OR ROPES, PREDOMINANTLY USED FOR DRIVING PURPOSES; CHAINS; FITTINGS PREDOMINANTLY USED THEREFOR
    • F16G11/00—Means for fastening cables or ropes to one another or to other objects; Caps or sleeves for fixing on cables or ropes
    • F16G11/10—Quick-acting fastenings; Clamps holding in one direction only
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16G—BELTS, CABLES, OR ROPES, PREDOMINANTLY USED FOR DRIVING PURPOSES; CHAINS; FITTINGS PREDOMINANTLY USED THEREFOR
    • F16G11/00—Means for fastening cables or ropes to one another or to other objects; Caps or sleeves for fixing on cables or ropes
    • F16G11/08—Fastenings for securing ends of driving-cables to one another, the fastenings having approximately the same diameter as the cables
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16B—DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING
    • F16B2200/00—Constructional details of connections not covered for in other groups of this subclass
    • F16B2200/69—Redundant disconnection blocking means
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T24/00—Buckles, buttons, clasps, etc.
    • Y10T24/45—Separable-fastener or required component thereof [e.g., projection and cavity to complete interlock]
    • Y10T24/45225—Separable-fastener or required component thereof [e.g., projection and cavity to complete interlock] including member having distinct formations and mating member selectively interlocking therewith
    • Y10T24/45602—Receiving member includes either movable connection between interlocking components or variable configuration cavity
    • Y10T24/45775—Receiving member includes either movable connection between interlocking components or variable configuration cavity having resiliently biased interlocking component or segment
    • Y10T24/45785—Requiring manual force applied against bias to interlock or disengage
    • Y10T24/45791—Requiring manual force applied against bias to interlock or disengage and partially blocking separate, nonresilient access opening of cavity
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T403/00—Joints and connections
    • Y10T403/45—Flexibly connected rigid members
    • Y10T403/459—Helical spring type coupling
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T403/00—Joints and connections
    • Y10T403/57—Distinct end coupler
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T403/00—Joints and connections
    • Y10T403/57—Distinct end coupler
    • Y10T403/5761—Interrupted periphery, e.g., split or segmental, etc.

Definitions

  • a tubular housing is attached to a firstline member. It includes a key hole opening in its side wall through which a head member on a second line member can be inserted and moved into said housing as the second line member is moved into a slot formed in an end wall of the housing.
  • An elongated coil spring is housed within the housing. It is retractable to open the key hole opening and when at rest its convolutions encircle said head member and block inadvertent removal of said head member out of said housing and said first line member out from said slot.
  • the coupler of this invention comprises a tubular body which is connected to one of the line members and which includes a side located key hole opening through which an enlarged end portion on the other line member can be inserted into said tubular body, and the line member itself into a slot formed in the end wall of the tubular body.
  • Examples of prior art couplers comprising a tubular body having a key hole opening position to provide side entry of a head member affixed to the end of a length of cable are shown by US. Pat.
  • the connector of this invention is provided with an elongated coil spring having convolutions which normally block, and in that manner close, the side key hole opening in the tubular body.
  • the coil spring is easily retracted to open the key hole opening so that the headed end portion of a line member can be moved into or out from the tubular body.
  • the coil spring encompasses the head member and its convolutions, which extend generally laterally across the key hole opening, prevent accidental and unwanted removal of the head member out from the tubular body.
  • the coil spring is retracted while it is trapped within the tubular body.
  • Such spring can be rotated for the purpose of screwing it into or out from the tubular body. However, it cannot be accidentally ejected out from the tubular body.
  • FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of an elevated staging platform which includes sections of cable which must be connected and disconnected, sometimes while the platform is elevated above the ground;
  • FIG. 2 is an isometric assembly view of an embodiment of the coupler of this invention being used to connect together two line members;
  • FIG. 3 is an exploded isometric view of the coupler and the end portions of the two line members
  • FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view taken through the coupler
  • FIG. 5 is a view similar to view 4, but showing the spring retracted and the headed end portion of the line member being moved relative to the coupler;
  • FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIGS. 4 and 5, but showing the coil spring being retracted for the purpose of screwing it out from the key hole opening;
  • FIG. 7 is an end elevational view taken substantially from the aspect of line 7-7 of FIG. 4;
  • FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along line 8-8 of FIG. 4;
  • FIG. 9 is another cross-sectional view taken substantially along line 9-9 of FIG. 4.
  • FIG. 1 is a fragmentary view of a sectional staging platform. In use it is supported at each end for vertical travel up and down along suspension cables.
  • the platform 10 comprises a plurality of sections 12 which are pinned together at 14 and are stabilized by a sectional underslung cable 16.
  • the coupler 18 of this invention is especially adapted for connecting together the sections of cable 16. However, it has general utility and can be used wherever it is desirable to connect together two line members which in use are in tension.
  • the coupler 18 is shown to comprise a tubular body or housing composed of a cylindrical side wall 20 and circular end walls 22, 24.
  • Wall 24 includes a circular opening 26 for receiving a first cable 28.
  • An enlarged head member 30 is connected to the end portion of line member 28.
  • Head member 30 is normally housed within the tubular body 20, 22, 24 and serves to hold such tubular body 20, 22, 24 onto the line member 28.
  • a radial slot 32 is formed in the opposite end wall 22. It communicates with a relatively narrow slot portion 34 of a key hole opening formed in the side wall 20.
  • the key hole opening also includes a relatively large opening 36.
  • the relatively large opening 36 is sized to receive a head member 38 attached to the end portion of a second line member 40.
  • the end wall slot 32 and the key hole slot 34 are sized to receive the line member 40 but are too small to accommodate passage of the head member 38.
  • an elongated coil spring 42 is provided within the tubular body 20, 22, 24.
  • the spring 42 can be retracted by use of a finger or a tool T (e.g., a screw driver) inserted through the opening 36.
  • Spring 42 is retracted until it is clear of the opening 36, so that the head member 38 can be inserted through opening 36 into the interior of body 20, 22, 24, and the adjacent portion of line member 20 moved through the slot 34 into the slot 32. Then, spring 42 is released so that it will extend itself into a position about the head member 38 (FIG. 4).
  • spring 42 occupies such extended position its convolutions extend laterally across the opening 36 and effectively block inadvertent movement of head member 38 out through opening 36.
  • the spring 42 is normally trapped within body member 20, 22, 24 and there is no way it can be inadvertently forced laterally through the key hole opening 34, 36. However, one can compress the spring 42 enough to bring its end convolution 44 into registry with opening 36. Then, the convolution 44 can be twisted for the purpose of distorting the spring 42 enough to start the end convolution 44 sideways through the opening 36. This places the portions of side wall 20 bordering opening 36 between adjacent convolutions and makes it possible to remove spring 42 from housing 20, 22, 24 by a mere rotation of the spring 42. The spring 42 is rotated to in effect screw it out from the housing 20, 22, 24, the line 28 may be moved endwise inwardly for the purpose of registering end member 30 with opening 36.
  • End member 30 can be moved laterally out of the housing through opening 36. Then, the line member 28 can be pulled endwise through the opening 26 for the purpose of disconnecting housing 20, 22, 24 from line member 28. Of course, this procedure can be reversed for installing housing 20, 22, 24 onto line member 28, and for locating spring 42 inside of housing 20, 22, 24.
  • the spring 42 is the only movable part of the coupler. It is wholly trapped within housing 20, 22, 24, both while it is being moved for the purpose of permitting insertion or removal of the head member 38 and line member 40 into or out from the housing 20, 22, 24 and the slot 32, and while it circles the head member 38 and blocks removal of head member 38 from the housing 20, 22, 24 via opening 36.
  • the coupler includes no separable part which could be inadvertently lost or removed from the coupler body 20, 22, 24.
  • a tubular body to be carried by a first of said line members, including a pair of end walls and side wall means together defining an inner chamber;
  • a key hole opening in said side wall means formed by a relatively large opening and a relatively narrow opening connecting said relatively large opening with said slot;
  • said key hole opening being adapted to receive a head member carried by the second line member, said head member being sized to pass through said relatively large opening but not through either said relatively narrow opening or said slot;
  • a coil spring being contained within said inner chamber and normally occupying a position in which a portion of its convolutions extend laterally across the key hole opening, said spring being retractable so that said head member and attached second line member being adapted to be inserted through the relatively large opening into the inner chamber, and adapted to be moved through the relatively narrow opening into said slot, and said spring being adapted to be extended to enclose said head member and serve as a guard, preventing the inadvertent removal of said head member out from the key hole opening, with the coil spring diameter being substantially larger than the width of said relatively large opening, so that a lateral force on the coil spring by said second end member in the direction of said relatively large opening will not push said coil spring out through said opening, and with said coil spring being sufficiently distortable so that it can be retracted and its end convolution pulled out through said relatively large opening, and the coil spring being adapted to rotate for the purpose of screwing it out from said inner chamber through said key hole opening.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Vibration Prevention Devices (AREA)
  • Quick-Acting Or Multi-Walled Pipe Joints (AREA)
  • Flexible Shafts (AREA)
US395223A 1973-09-07 1973-09-07 Coupler for line members Expired - Lifetime US3861814A (en)

Priority Applications (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US395223A US3861814A (en) 1973-09-07 1973-09-07 Coupler for line members
CA203,648A CA992728A (en) 1973-09-07 1974-06-28 Coupler for line members
GB3041374A GB1459348A (en) 1973-09-07 1974-07-09 Coupler for line members
ZA00744391A ZA744391B (en) 1973-09-07 1974-07-09 Coupler for line members
JP49096942A JPS5147813B2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1973-09-07 1974-08-23

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US395223A US3861814A (en) 1973-09-07 1973-09-07 Coupler for line members

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3861814A true US3861814A (en) 1975-01-21

Family

ID=23562152

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US395223A Expired - Lifetime US3861814A (en) 1973-09-07 1973-09-07 Coupler for line members

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US3861814A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
JP (1) JPS5147813B2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
CA (1) CA992728A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
GB (1) GB1459348A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
ZA (1) ZA744391B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4133125A (en) * 1977-03-24 1979-01-09 Lariosa Oscar A Self-erecting sign post
US4247084A (en) * 1979-01-15 1981-01-27 Lindsey Keith E Stringing block threading apparatus
US4278237A (en) * 1979-11-29 1981-07-14 Lindsey Manufacturing Co. Apparatus and method of threading a closed framed opening by helicopters
US4369551A (en) * 1981-05-11 1983-01-25 Juan Heredia Quick release device for fishing leader lines
US5031510A (en) * 1990-03-22 1991-07-16 Welch Allyn, Inc. Evacuation spring for hydraulic/pneumatic muscle
US5669118A (en) * 1995-07-18 1997-09-23 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Strap retainer
US20080245004A1 (en) * 2007-04-06 2008-10-09 Pryor Steven E Automatic take-up device and in-line coupler
US8407862B2 (en) 2010-08-02 2013-04-02 The Worth Company Releasable bi-directional connector
US8881478B2 (en) 2012-06-22 2014-11-11 Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc. Ratcheting take-up device
US9945115B2 (en) 2013-10-08 2018-04-17 Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc. Concrete anchor
USRE48981E1 (en) 2014-01-14 2022-03-22 Simpson Strong-Tie Company Inc. Thrust nut
US20250228226A1 (en) * 2024-01-11 2025-07-17 It's Play Time, LLC Line-to-leader quick connection assembly and device

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH053794Y2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) * 1985-01-16 1993-01-29
JP4926017B2 (ja) * 2007-12-06 2012-05-09 三菱電機株式会社 室内機及びこの室内機を備えた空気調和機

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1552338A (en) * 1925-03-30 1925-09-01 Munro Walter Bull hook
US2305234A (en) * 1942-03-04 1942-12-15 American Chain & Cable Co Detachable strand connector
US2449167A (en) * 1946-05-08 1948-09-14 Lester H Hopewell Head and socket separable safety fastener
US2576563A (en) * 1950-05-09 1951-11-27 Kirby A Blewett Swivel joint
US3332163A (en) * 1964-11-06 1967-07-25 Harold P Stewart Fishing tackle
US3447777A (en) * 1966-02-02 1969-06-03 Monogram Ind Inc Valve construction
US3464093A (en) * 1967-11-14 1969-09-02 Milo L Laharty Butt hook with choker retainer and choker ferrule
US3570078A (en) * 1969-02-05 1971-03-16 Frank S Andrus Jewelry clasp

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1552338A (en) * 1925-03-30 1925-09-01 Munro Walter Bull hook
US2305234A (en) * 1942-03-04 1942-12-15 American Chain & Cable Co Detachable strand connector
US2449167A (en) * 1946-05-08 1948-09-14 Lester H Hopewell Head and socket separable safety fastener
US2576563A (en) * 1950-05-09 1951-11-27 Kirby A Blewett Swivel joint
US3332163A (en) * 1964-11-06 1967-07-25 Harold P Stewart Fishing tackle
US3447777A (en) * 1966-02-02 1969-06-03 Monogram Ind Inc Valve construction
US3464093A (en) * 1967-11-14 1969-09-02 Milo L Laharty Butt hook with choker retainer and choker ferrule
US3570078A (en) * 1969-02-05 1971-03-16 Frank S Andrus Jewelry clasp

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4133125A (en) * 1977-03-24 1979-01-09 Lariosa Oscar A Self-erecting sign post
US4247084A (en) * 1979-01-15 1981-01-27 Lindsey Keith E Stringing block threading apparatus
US4278237A (en) * 1979-11-29 1981-07-14 Lindsey Manufacturing Co. Apparatus and method of threading a closed framed opening by helicopters
US4369551A (en) * 1981-05-11 1983-01-25 Juan Heredia Quick release device for fishing leader lines
US5031510A (en) * 1990-03-22 1991-07-16 Welch Allyn, Inc. Evacuation spring for hydraulic/pneumatic muscle
US5669118A (en) * 1995-07-18 1997-09-23 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Strap retainer
US20080245004A1 (en) * 2007-04-06 2008-10-09 Pryor Steven E Automatic take-up device and in-line coupler
US7905066B2 (en) * 2007-04-06 2011-03-15 Simpson Strong-Tie Co., Inc. Automatic take-up device and in-line coupler
US8407862B2 (en) 2010-08-02 2013-04-02 The Worth Company Releasable bi-directional connector
US8881478B2 (en) 2012-06-22 2014-11-11 Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc. Ratcheting take-up device
US9945115B2 (en) 2013-10-08 2018-04-17 Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc. Concrete anchor
USRE48981E1 (en) 2014-01-14 2022-03-22 Simpson Strong-Tie Company Inc. Thrust nut
US20250228226A1 (en) * 2024-01-11 2025-07-17 It's Play Time, LLC Line-to-leader quick connection assembly and device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB1459348A (en) 1976-12-22
JPS5057115A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1975-05-19
CA992728A (en) 1976-07-13
ZA744391B (en) 1975-07-30
JPS5147813B2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1976-12-17

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: SPIDER STAGING, INC., RENTON, WA A CORP. OF WA

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:FISHER, SIDNEY L.;REEL/FRAME:004769/0892

Effective date: 19870923

Owner name: SPIDER STAGING, INC.,WASHINGTON

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:FISHER, SIDNEY L.;REEL/FRAME:004769/0892

Effective date: 19870923

AS Assignment

Owner name: U.S. BANK OF WASHINGTON, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:SPIDER STAGING CORPORATIN, A CORP. OF WA.;REEL/FRAME:005443/0067

Effective date: 19900730