WO2007031730A1 - Gripping device - Google Patents

Gripping device Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2007031730A1
WO2007031730A1 PCT/GB2006/003370 GB2006003370W WO2007031730A1 WO 2007031730 A1 WO2007031730 A1 WO 2007031730A1 GB 2006003370 W GB2006003370 W GB 2006003370W WO 2007031730 A1 WO2007031730 A1 WO 2007031730A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
gripping device
pinion
opening
elongate element
slot
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2006/003370
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Terence Raymond Dingley
Steven Ferry
Original Assignee
Doby Cleats Limited
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 Doby Cleats Limited filed Critical Doby Cleats Limited
Publication of WO2007031730A1 publication Critical patent/WO2007031730A1/en

Links

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
    • F16G11/101—Quick-acting fastenings; Clamps holding in one direction only deforming the cable by moving a part of the fastener
    • 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
    • F16G11/04—Means for fastening cables or ropes to one another or to other objects; Caps or sleeves for fixing on cables or ropes with wedging action, e.g. friction clamps
    • 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

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a gripping device, and in particular to a device for gripping an elongate strand of material such as wire.
  • Gripping devices are used in many applications. For example, joining together wire strands in fencing applications, to suspend an object from a ⁇ vire, to suspend sports equipment, or to suspend objects from structural elements of a building.
  • GB 2240581 describes a gripping device of the type described in the above-mentioned patents where the toothed wedges are replaced by ribbed rollers.
  • GB2,322,435, GB 2378979 and GB 2378980 illustrate how a gripping device of the type described in the above-mentioned patents may be deployed.
  • WO 92/12766 describes a gripping device for gripping a cord which supports a ball.
  • a gripping device as specified in Claim 1.
  • the gripping device of the invention provides a number of advantages over the prior art.
  • Third, the device of the invention is much simpler to adjust than the known gripping devices, which require the use of alien keys to first slacken off the gripping element so that the gripped element can be moved.
  • the device of the invention provides for simple adjustment of the gripped element by moving the adjustment knobs in the direction against the force of the tension spring.
  • Figure 1 is a plan view of a gripping device according to the invention.
  • Figure 2 is an end view of the gripping device illustrated in Figure 1;
  • Figure 3 is a plan view of the gripping device illustrated in Figure 1 in a partially assembled form.
  • Figure 4 is an end view of the gripping device as illustrated in Figure 3.
  • the gripping device 1 comprises a body 2 and a top plate 3.
  • the body 2 includes a pair of spaced apart openings 4 that extend through the body 2 from the front to the back of the device.
  • Each opening 4 has one substantially flat side 4a and an opposing side 4b including a recess 4c.
  • Each recess 4c includes a toothed surface forming a rack 4d.
  • a toothed pinion wheel 5 is mounted on a pin 5a, which pin locates in the said slots 4e, 4e', the said slot defining a path in which the pin travels.
  • the slots 4e, 4e' are positioned and oriented such that the teeth of the pinion wheel 5 engage with the teeth of the rack 4d, the ends of the slots 4e, 4e' defining the extreme positions of the pinion wheel.
  • the slots 4e, 4e' are set at an angle ⁇ to the longitudinal axis of the opening 4.
  • the top plate 3 includes a slot 7 in which a spring 6 is located.
  • the spring 6 is a tension spring and extends between a spring location pin 8 located in one end of the slot 7 and the pin 5a mounting the pinion wheel 5.
  • the spring 6 biases the pinion wheel 5 to a closed position, Le. the pinion wheel is biased to the position marked "x" in Figure 1.
  • An adjustment knob 9 is mounted on the ends of each of the pins 5a to allow a user to adjust the position of the pinion wheels 5 by pulling against the tension force generated by the spring 6.
  • the body 2 and top cover 3 are each formed of pressed steel.
  • the body 2 includes bores 10 which align with location pins 11 forming part of the top cover 3. The dimensions of the said bores and location pins are such that one is a press fit into the other.
  • the device further comprises fixing screws 12 at opposite corners of the device, the fixing screws passing through corresponding through bores 13 in die top cover 3 and into threaded blind bores 14 in die body 2.
  • the device may be used in a number different ways.
  • a user has, with die aid of adjustment knobs 10 moved the pinion wheels 5 towards their extreme open positions to permit an elongate element 15 such as wire to be passed through the opening 4.
  • die tension springs 6 pull the pinion wheel 5 towards die position "x".
  • the distance travelled by the pinion wheel in the slot 4e depends on die dimensions of the elongate element, die pinion wheel substantially ceasing travel when die teeth of die pinion wheel 5 engage with die surface of die elongate element Any further travel of die pinion wheel in die slot 4e is as a result of die teetii of die pinion wheel biting into die surface of die elongate element.
  • die pinion wheels are in die position "x" and are moved towards die position "y” by die insertion of an elongate element 15 into die opening 4 in die direction "z” from die position "v".
  • die elongate element Upon insertion of die elongate element into die opening 4, the free end of the element engages witii die pinion wheel 5 pushing die wheel in the direction "z", said pinion wheel moving against me force generated by die tension spring 6.
  • die tension spring 6 pulls the pinion wheel 5 into engagement widi die surface of the said element.
  • the teeth of the pinion wheel 5 are caused to bite into the said element.
  • the rack 4d also includes a curved portion 4d 1 , the curve extending from one side of the opening 4 to the end of the substantially straight part of the rack 4d.
  • the action of the curve is to move the pinion wheel 5 towards the outer wall more rapidly over a unit of distance than is the case for the substantially straight part of the rack 4d.
  • the provision of the curved portion 4d 1 allows the gripping device of the invention to be used with a wide range of cross-sections of elongate elements. Nevertheless the dimensions of the gripping device may be optimised to match particular cross- sectional dimensions of elongate elements.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Clamps And Clips (AREA)
  • Manipulator (AREA)

Abstract

A gripping device (1) comprises at least one elongate opening (4) for receiving an elongate element (15), a rack (4d)and pinion(5), and means (6)for bringing the pinion into engagement with an elongate element located in the said opening. The pinion is mounted for translational movement in a slot having an longitudinal axis, and the longitudinal axis of the slot is set at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis of the opening. A force component exerted on an elongate element located in the said opening causes the pinion to move in the slot and towards the elongate element .

Description

Gripping Device
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a gripping device, and in particular to a device for gripping an elongate strand of material such as wire.
Background of the Invention
Gripping devices are used in many applications. For example, joining together wire strands in fencing applications, to suspend an object from a Λvire, to suspend sports equipment, or to suspend objects from structural elements of a building.
Gripping devices are known from the patent documents referred to below:
GB 2210517, WO 95/30844 and WO 97/36123 for examples of wire gripping devices in which toothed wedges grip the wire.
GB 2240581 describes a gripping device of the type described in the above-mentioned patents where the toothed wedges are replaced by ribbed rollers.
GB2,322,435, GB 2378979 and GB 2378980 illustrate how a gripping device of the type described in the above-mentioned patents may be deployed.
WO 92/12766 describes a gripping device for gripping a cord which supports a ball.
One problem associated with the known gripping devices is that when placed under excess load, or if the gripping device is defective, the gripped elongate element can pull through the gripping device. Obviously, this is undesirable and could have disastrous consequences. Another problem associated with the known gripping devices is that they are difficult to adjust.
The afore-mentioned problems are not solved by the inventions proposed in the above- mentioned patent applications.
It would therefore be desirable to provide an improved gripping device.
Summary of the Invention
According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a gripping device as specified in Claim 1.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of gripping an elongate element as specified in Claim 16.
Other preferred features of the invention are set out in the appended claims.
The gripping device of the invention provides a number of advantages over the prior art. First, better engagement of the teeth of the pinion wheel is provided as a result of the pinion being rotatably mounted and engaging on one side with a rack and the other with the elongate element. Second, the device can be used with a wider range of cross-sections of elongate element. Third, the device of the invention is much simpler to adjust than the known gripping devices, which require the use of alien keys to first slacken off the gripping element so that the gripped element can be moved. The device of the invention provides for simple adjustment of the gripped element by moving the adjustment knobs in the direction against the force of the tension spring.
Brief Description of the Drawings In the drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention, and are by way of example:
Figure 1 is a plan view of a gripping device according to the invention;
Figure 2 is an end view of the gripping device illustrated in Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a plan view of the gripping device illustrated in Figure 1 in a partially assembled form; and
Figure 4 is an end view of the gripping device as illustrated in Figure 3.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments
Referring now to Figures 1 to 4, the gripping device 1 comprises a body 2 and a top plate 3. The body 2 includes a pair of spaced apart openings 4 that extend through the body 2 from the front to the back of the device. Each opening 4 has one substantially flat side 4a and an opposing side 4b including a recess 4c. Each recess 4c includes a toothed surface forming a rack 4d. Within the boundary of each recess 4c and located in the body 2 there is located a slot 4e which is aligned with a corresponding slot 4e' in the top plate 3. A toothed pinion wheel 5 is mounted on a pin 5a, which pin locates in the said slots 4e, 4e', the said slot defining a path in which the pin travels. The slots 4e, 4e' are positioned and oriented such that the teeth of the pinion wheel 5 engage with the teeth of the rack 4d, the ends of the slots 4e, 4e' defining the extreme positions of the pinion wheel. The slots 4e, 4e' are set at an angle γ to the longitudinal axis of the opening 4.
The top plate 3 includes a slot 7 in which a spring 6 is located. The spring 6 is a tension spring and extends between a spring location pin 8 located in one end of the slot 7 and the pin 5a mounting the pinion wheel 5. The spring 6 biases the pinion wheel 5 to a closed position, Le. the pinion wheel is biased to the position marked "x" in Figure 1. An adjustment knob 9 is mounted on the ends of each of the pins 5a to allow a user to adjust the position of the pinion wheels 5 by pulling against the tension force generated by the spring 6.
In this example, the body 2 and top cover 3 are each formed of pressed steel. The body 2 includes bores 10 which align with location pins 11 forming part of the top cover 3. The dimensions of the said bores and location pins are such that one is a press fit into the other. The device further comprises fixing screws 12 at opposite corners of the device, the fixing screws passing through corresponding through bores 13 in die top cover 3 and into threaded blind bores 14 in die body 2.
The device may be used in a number different ways. In the configuration illustrated in Figure 1, a user has, with die aid of adjustment knobs 10 moved the pinion wheels 5 towards their extreme open positions to permit an elongate element 15 such as wire to be passed through the opening 4. When the user releases the adjustment knobs die tension springs 6 pull the pinion wheel 5 towards die position "x". The distance travelled by the pinion wheel in the slot 4e depends on die dimensions of the elongate element, die pinion wheel substantially ceasing travel when die teeth of die pinion wheel 5 engage with die surface of die elongate element Any further travel of die pinion wheel in die slot 4e is as a result of die teetii of die pinion wheel biting into die surface of die elongate element.
When die device is used according to a second method, die pinion wheels are in die position "x" and are moved towards die position "y" by die insertion of an elongate element 15 into die opening 4 in die direction "z" from die position "v". Upon insertion of die elongate element into die opening 4, the free end of the element engages witii die pinion wheel 5 pushing die wheel in the direction "z", said pinion wheel moving against me force generated by die tension spring 6. When die elongate element has been pushed dirough die opening 4, the user ceases feeding me element in die direction "z" and die tension spring 6 pulls the pinion wheel 5 into engagement widi die surface of the said element. When a force is exerted on the elongate element in the direction "z" the teeth of the pinion wheel 5 are caused to bite into the said element.
As -will be appreciated from Figure 1, when a force is exerted on an elongate element in the direction "z1" a torque is applied to the pinion wheel 5 causing it to rotate about its own axis and move along the rack 4d. The major part of the rack 4d is substantially straight and set at an angle α to the longitudinal axis of the opening 4 so that as the pinion wheel 5 moves along the track under the influence of the said force and the force exerted by tension spring 6, the pinion wheel moves closer to the outer wall of the opening 4, thereby gripping the elongate element ever more tighdy as the force in direction "z1" is increased.
The rack 4d also includes a curved portion 4d1, the curve extending from one side of the opening 4 to the end of the substantially straight part of the rack 4d. The action of the curve is to move the pinion wheel 5 towards the outer wall more rapidly over a unit of distance than is the case for the substantially straight part of the rack 4d. The provision of the curved portion 4d1 allows the gripping device of the invention to be used with a wide range of cross-sections of elongate elements. Nevertheless the dimensions of the gripping device may be optimised to match particular cross- sectional dimensions of elongate elements.

Claims

Claims
A gripping device comprising at least one elongate opening for receiving an elongate element, a rack and pinion, and means for bringing the pinion into engagement with an elongate element located in the said opening, wherein the pinion is mounted for translational movement in a slot having an longitudinal axis, and the longitudinal axis of the slot is set at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis of the opening, and wherein a force component exerted on an elongate element located in the said opening causes the pinion to move in the slot and towards the elongate element.
A gripping device according to Claim 1, wherein the rack is formed in a recess to the elongate opening.
A gripping device according to Claim 1 or 2, further comprising biasing means arranged to bias the pinion into the path of the elongate opening.
A gripping device according to Claim 3, wherein the biasing means is a spring.
A gripping device according to Claim 4, wherein the biasing means is a tension spring.
A gripping device according to any of Claims 3 to 5, wherein the biasing means is located in a slot.
A gripping device further comprising adjustment means, the adjustment means being arranged to change the position of the pinion.
A gripping device according to Claim 7, wherein the adjustment means comprises a knob mounted on one end of a shaft mounting the pinion.
A gripping device according to Claim 8, wherein the adjustment means comprises a knob mounted on each end of the pinion.
10. A gripping device according to any preceding claim, further comprising a housing.
11. A gripping device according to Claim 10, wherein the housing consists of two housing elements and wherein each of the elements includes a slot, which slots are aligned in the assemble device, a shaft upon which the pinion wheel is mounted being located in the aligned slots.
12. A gripping device according to any preceding claim, wherein one of the housing elements includes a channel and a recess forming part of the said elongate opening.
13. A gripping device according to Claim 10, wherein one of the housing elements includes a slot mounting the said biasing means, said biasing means extending between a locator at one of its ends and the shaft mounting the pinion at is other end.
14. A gripping device according to any preceding claim, wherein the rack includes a substantially straight portion.
15. A gripping device according to any preceding claim, wherein the rack includes a curved portion.
16. A method of gripping an elongate element comprising the step of exerting a first force on the elongate element in a first direction to introduce said element into an opening of a gripping device as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 15 such that the end of the elongate element inserted into the opening passes the said pinion wheel, and exerting a second force on the said elongate element, said second force having a component acting in a second direction substantially opposite to the said first direction.
17. A gripping device substantially as shown in, and as described with reference to, the drawings.
PCT/GB2006/003370 2005-09-14 2006-09-14 Gripping device WO2007031730A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0518715.8 2005-09-14
GBGB0518715.8A GB0518715D0 (en) 2005-09-14 2005-09-14 Gripping device

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2007031730A1 true WO2007031730A1 (en) 2007-03-22

Family

ID=35221445

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2006/003370 WO2007031730A1 (en) 2005-09-14 2006-09-14 Gripping device

Country Status (2)

Country Link
GB (2) GB0518715D0 (en)
WO (1) WO2007031730A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8578566B2 (en) 2007-10-31 2013-11-12 Thomas & Betts International, Inc. Cable gripping device
DE102022125346A1 (en) * 2022-09-30 2024-04-04 Reutlinger Gmbh Rope feedthrough for securing a rope against slipping with a rollable clamping element with a circumferential surface that is convexly curved outwards along an axis of rotation towards the center and a loop former

Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1271912A (en) * 1917-06-07 1918-07-09 Charles W Kemper Clamp.
US1811942A (en) * 1930-02-04 1931-06-30 Charles W Kemper Cable clamp
US3204311A (en) * 1962-06-06 1965-09-07 Bellpat Marine Corp Jam cleat
US4747631A (en) * 1985-12-26 1988-05-31 Brammall, Inc. Cable locking and sealing device
GB2210517A (en) 1987-09-26 1989-06-07 Estate Wire Ltd Connector for wires etc
GB2218464A (en) * 1988-05-11 1989-11-15 Kenneth Lawrence Mackenzie Line jamming apparatus
WO1995030844A1 (en) 1994-05-05 1995-11-16 Gripple Limited Connector for wires, etc.
WO1997036123A1 (en) 1996-03-23 1997-10-02 Gripple Limited Devices for clamping wires, etc.
GB2322435A (en) 1997-12-23 1998-08-26 Gripple Ltd Suspending equipment
GB2378980A (en) 2001-08-23 2003-02-26 Gripple Ltd Suspension means
GB2378979A (en) 2001-08-23 2003-02-26 Gripple Ltd Suspension means

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3770307A (en) * 1972-09-14 1973-11-06 Brammall Inc Cable lock and seal device

Patent Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1271912A (en) * 1917-06-07 1918-07-09 Charles W Kemper Clamp.
US1811942A (en) * 1930-02-04 1931-06-30 Charles W Kemper Cable clamp
US3204311A (en) * 1962-06-06 1965-09-07 Bellpat Marine Corp Jam cleat
US4747631A (en) * 1985-12-26 1988-05-31 Brammall, Inc. Cable locking and sealing device
GB2210517A (en) 1987-09-26 1989-06-07 Estate Wire Ltd Connector for wires etc
GB2218464A (en) * 1988-05-11 1989-11-15 Kenneth Lawrence Mackenzie Line jamming apparatus
WO1995030844A1 (en) 1994-05-05 1995-11-16 Gripple Limited Connector for wires, etc.
WO1997036123A1 (en) 1996-03-23 1997-10-02 Gripple Limited Devices for clamping wires, etc.
GB2322435A (en) 1997-12-23 1998-08-26 Gripple Ltd Suspending equipment
GB2378980A (en) 2001-08-23 2003-02-26 Gripple Ltd Suspension means
GB2378979A (en) 2001-08-23 2003-02-26 Gripple Ltd Suspension means

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2430234B (en) 2010-12-29
GB0518715D0 (en) 2005-10-19
GB2430234A (en) 2007-03-21
GB0618089D0 (en) 2006-10-25

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