WO2015092345A1

WO2015092345A1 - Gripping device

Info

Publication number: WO2015092345A1
Application number: PCT/GB2014/000512
Authority: WO
Inventors: John BUTTERWORTH
Original assignee: Gripple Limited
Priority date: 2013-12-18
Filing date: 2014-12-12
Publication date: 2015-06-25

Abstract

A gripping device (10) comprising a body (12) defining a passage (14) through which an elongate article (16) can extend. The body has a wall (38) extending along the passage. The gripping device further includes a gripping arrangement (28) mounted on the body. The gripping arrangement is movable in a first direction to a gripping position to grip the elongate article against the wall, and in a second opposite direction to a release position. The gripping arrangement includes a gripping surface (34) which moves towards the wall when the gripping arrangement is moved in the first direction and moves away from the wall when the gripping arrangement is moved in the second direction.

Description

Gripping Device

This invention relates to gripping devices. More particularly, but not exclusively, this invention relates to gripping devices for gripping elongate articles, such as wires, cables, wire ropes or ropes.

In vineyards, it is necessary to attach the vines to wires strung across the fields. As the vines grow, the wire is raised. It is also desirable to be able to lower the wire. The embodiments of the present invention described herein seek to provide an improved clamping arrangement for allowing the wires to be raised and lowered.

According to one aspect of this invention, there is provided a gripping device comprising a body defining a passage through which an elongate article can extend, and the body having a wall extending along the passage, and the gripping device further including a gripping arrangement mounted on the body, the gripping arrangement being movable in a first direction to a gripping position to grip the elongate article against the wall, and in a second opposite direction to a release position, wherein the gripping arrangement includes a gripping surface which moves towards the wall when the gripping arrangement is moved in the first direction and moves away from the wall when the gripping arrangement is moved in the second direction.

The gripping device may include a holding arrangement for holding an elongate securing member. The holding arrangement may comprise a main channel defined in the body, through which a portion of the elongate securing member can pass.

According to another aspect of this invention, there is provided a gripping device comprising a body and a gripping arrangement on the body for gripping an elongate article, and the gripping device further including a holding arrangement for holding an elongate securing member, the holding arrangement comprising a main channel defined in the body, through which a portion of the elongate securing member can pass.

l The gripping arrangement may be pivotally mounted on the body. The gripping arrangement may be pivotally movable between the gripping and release positions.

The gripping arrangement may be pivotally or linearly movable relative to the body. Where the gripping arrangement is linearly movable relative to the body, the gripping arrangement may comprise a wedge or a roller.

Where the gripping arrangement is pivotally movable relative to the body, the gripping arrangement may comprise a pivoting arrangement pivotally mounted on the body. The pivoting arrangement may comprise a pivoting member.

The pivoting member may be pivotally attached to the body. The pivoting member may include the gripping surface.

The gripping arrangement may include a release portion to facilitate moving the gripping arrangement to the non-gripping position. The release portion may comprise a lever portion.

The gripping device may include an urging member to urge the gripping arrangement to the gripping position. The urging member may apply an urging force between the body and the release portion.

When the gripping arrangement is in the gripping position, the release portion may project from the body to allow the release portion to be pressed, thereby moving the gripping arrangement to the release position. The pressing of the release portion may move the release portion towards the body.

The gripping arrangement may include a pivoting member. The pivoting member may comprise a pivot portion and the gripping surface. The gripping arrangement may be pivotally attached to the body at the pivot portion.

The elongate article may be a wire, rod, cable, wire rope or rope. The elongate securing member may have opposite ends, and a stop member on at least one end of the elongate securing member. The main channel may have a stop formation to engage the stop member on the elongate securing member, thereby holding the elongate securing member. The stop member may comprise a ferrule. The stop member may be provided at one end of the elongate securing member. Desirably, the elongate securing member comprises a respective stop member at each of the opposite ends of the elongate securing member.

The body may define an access channel to allow access for the elongate securing member to the main channel. The access channel may extend transverse to the main channel. The access channel may extend through the body and may be of a dimension to allow the stop member on the elongate securing member to pass therethrough.

The body may define a main slot communicating with the main channel. The main slot may extend the length of the main channel.

The body may further define an alignment opening through which the elongate securing member can extend when the elongate securing member is held by the body. The alignment opening may be aligned with the main channel.

The alignment opening may extend to an alignment slot to allow alignment of the elongate securing member with the main slot, and thereby allow the elongate securing member to extend through the main channel. The alignment slot may communicate with the access channel. The alignment slot may communicate with the main opening of the body.

In use of the embodiment described herein, the elongate securing member can be inserted through the alignment slot, and may then be turned to pass through the alignment slot and thereafter pass through the main slot to be received in, and extend along, the main channel through the alignment opening. One embodiment of this invention may comprise two of the aforesaid holding arrangements, which may be arranged side by side. This provides the advantage in the embodiment described herein that a short length of the elongate securing member having stop members at opposite ends of the elongate article can be held by the body so that each end is held in a respective main channel. The elongate securing member can be looped around a support, such as a post, and thereby mounted on the support.

In the embodiment described herein, the gripping arrangements can grip the elongate articles tightly, and the holding arrangements hold the elongate securing member in a loop, which can be looped around the support and raised and lowered on the support. The embodiment thus provides the advantage that, even though the, or each, elongate article is held tightly, the looped fastening member can be raised or lowered on the support, as desired.

The gripping device may comprise two of the aforesaid gripping arrangements arranged side by side in the body.

The elongate securing member may be a wire, cable, wire rope or rope.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a gripping device about to be mounted on a support;

Figure 2 shows the gripping device mounted on the support, with two elongate articles gripped therein;

Figures 3A to 3D show sectional side views of the gripping device gripping and releasing an elongate article;

Figures 4A to 4D show the sequence of steps by which the gripping device can hold an elongate securing member; Figures 5A to 5D show sectional views in perspective of the sequence shown in Figures 4A to 4D;

Figures 6A to 6D show side sectional views of the sequence shown in Figures 4A to 4D;

Figures 7A to 7D show rear perspective views of the sequence shown in Figures 4A to 4D; and

Figures 8A to 8D show bottom perspective views of the sequence shown in Figures 4A to 4D.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a gripping device 10 comprises a body 12 defining a pair of passages 14 for respective elongate articles 16 to extend therethrough (see Figure 2). Each of the elongate articles 16 is in the form of a wire, cable, wire rope or rope.

The gripping device 10 further includes two holding arrangements 18 for holding an elongate securing member 20, which is looped around a support 22 in the form of an upright post, thereby securing the gripping device 10 to the support 22. The elongate securing member 20 comprises a further elongate article 24 having a stop member 26, in the form of a ferrule, at each of the opposite ends of the further elongate article 24. Only one of the stop members 26 is shown in Figure 1 , the other is held within the body 12. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the passages 14 are defined adjacent the opposite sides of the body 12, and the holding arrangements 18 are defined centrally of the body 12 between the passages 14.

The gripping device 10 further includes a pair of gripping arrangements 28 for gripping the elongate articles 16. Figures 3A to 3D show one of the gripping arrangements 28, each of which is pivotally mounted on the body 12 at a pivot 30 for pivotal movement between a gripping position as shown in figure 3C and a release position as shown in figure 3D. Each gripping arrangement 28 comprises a pivoting member 32 having a gripping surface 34. The pivoting member 32 further includes a pivot portion 36 at which the gripping arrangement 28 is pivotally attached to the body 12. The gripping surface 32 is provided on the pivot portion 36.

The body 12 defines a passage 37 (see Figure 3A) through which the elongate article 16 extends when it is gripped by the gripping arrangement 28. The body 12 has a reaction wall 38 defining the passage 37, the reaction wall 38 providing a reaction force on the elongate article 16, when it is gripped by the gripping arrangement 28.

When the elongate article 16 is disposed in the passage 37, the gripping arrangement 28 is moved to the gripping position to grip the elongate article 16. During such movement, the gripping surface 34 moves towards the reaction wall 38 to engage the elongate article 16 extending through the passage 37.

Each gripping arrangement 28 further includes a release portion, in the form of a lever portion 40, extending from the pivot portion 36.

Urging means in the form of a compression spring 42 is provided within the body 12 and extends between the body 12 and the lever portion 40. The compression spring 42 urges the gripping arrangement 28 to the gripping position.

In use, the elongate article 16 is inserted into the passage 37 in the direction indicated by the arrow A in Figures 3A and 3B. When so inserted, the elongate article 16 engages the gripping surface 34 and pushes it out of the way, thereby pivoting the gripping arrangement 28 in the direction indicated by the arrow B in Figure 3B. Thus, the elongate article 16 can be inserted through the passage 37 to the extent desired.

The urging means 42 pushes on the lever portion 40 to urge the gripping arrangement 28 in the direction indicated by the arrow C in Figure 3C. The gripping surface 34 is thus urged into engagement with the elongate article 16. Pulling the elongate article 16 in the direction indicated by the arrow D in Figure 3C pulls the gripping arrangement 28 further in the direction indicated by the arrow C, thereby causing the gripping surface 34 to engage the elongate article 16 more tightly. As a result, the elongate article 16 is gripped between the gripping surface 34 and the reaction wall 38 of the body 12.

If it is desired to release the gripping arrangement 28 from the elongate article 16, a user can press on the lever portion 40 in the direction indicated by the arrow E in Figure 3D. This causes the gripping arrangement 28 to pivot in the direction shown by the arrow F in Figure 3D, thereby disengaging the gripping surface 34 from the elongate article 16, and allowing the elongate article 16 to be pulled in the direction indicated by the arrow F to be released.

Figures 4A to 4D, 5A to 5D, 6A to 6D, 7A to 7D and 8A to 8D show the holding arrangements 18 for holding the elongate securing member 20. Each holding arrangement 18 comprises a main channel 50 having a first open end 52, and a second open end 54, the opening at the first open end 52 being wider than the opening at the second open end 54.

The body defines an alignment opening 56 in alignment with the main channel 50 through which the elongate securing member 20 can extend when the elongate securing member 20 is held in the main channel 50.

Figures 4A to 4D, 5A to 5D, 6A to 6D, 7A to 7D, and 8A to 8D show the stop member 26 on one end of the further elongate article 24. The main channel 50 and the first end 52 thereof are wide enough to allow the stop member 26 to be received in the main channel 50. The narrower second end 54 of the main channel 50 constitutes a stop formation, which can engage the stop member 26 to prevent the elongate securing member 20 passing out of the main channel 50 via the second end 54.

A main slot 58 defined in the body 12 extends along the length of the main channel 50, and communicates therewith. A portion of the elongate securing member 20 can be disposed in the main channel 50 by being passed through the main slot 58. In order to insert the elongate securing member 20 into the main channel 50, each holding arrangement 18 has an access channel 60 which extends transverse to the main channel 50. The access channel 60 has opposite open ends. The access channel 60 and its open ends are wide enough to allow the elongate securing member 20 and the stop member 26 thereof to pass wholly therethrough.

Each holding arrangement 18 also has an alignment slot 62 defined by the body 12. Each alignment slot 62 extends along a major proportion of the length of the access channel 60 and provides communication for the elongate securing member 20 with the access channel 60. The alignment slot 62 extends from the alignment opening 56. in order to insert the elongate securing member 20 into the main channel 50, one end of the elongate securing member 20 is first inserted through the access channel 60, in the direction indicated by the arrow H in Figures 4A, 5A, 6A, 7A and 8A., The elongate securing member 20 is then turned, as indicated by the arrow J in Figures 4B, 5B, 6B, 7B and 8B so that a region of the elongate article 24 passes through the main slot 58, and a further region passes through the alignment slot 62. This has the effect of arranging the further elongate article 24 within the main channel 50 so that the further elongate article 24 extends through the alignment opening 56, as shown in Figures 4C, 5C, 6C, 7C and 8C. The elongate securing member 20 can then be pulled in the direction indicated by the arrow K in Figures 4C, 5C, 6C, 7C and 8C until the stop member 26 engages the stop formation provided by the second end 54 of the main channel 50, thereby holding the elongate securing member 20 in the main channel 50, as shown in Figures 4D, 5D, 6D, 7D and 8D.

In the embodiment shown, the body 12 has first and second holding arrangements 18 for holding respective opposite end regions of the elongate securing member 20, by engaging the stop member 26 at each of the opposite ends of the further elongate article 24. A loop is thus formed by the further elongate article 24, which can be disposed around the support 22, as shown in Figure 2, to fasten the gripping device 10 to the support 22. There is thus described a gripping device 10 for gripping an elongate article 16, and which can engage an elongate securing member 20, to suspend the gripping device 10 from a post.

Various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the gripping arrangements 28 in the gripping device 10 may grip respective separate elongate articles 16, or opposite ends of the same elongate article 16. Alternatively, the gripping device 10 may have only one of the gripping arrangements 28.

In a further modification of the gripping device 10 shown in Figures 9A to 10D, the holding arrangements 18 are defined adjacent the opposite sides of the body 12, and the passages 12 are defined centrally of the body 12 between the holding arrangements 14. Other than this change, the gripping device 10 shown in Figures 9A to 10D is the same as the gripping device 10 shown in Figures 1 to 8D. The features of the gripping device 10 shown in Figures 9A to 10D are designated with the same reference numerals as the corresponding features of the gripping device shown in Figures 1 to 8D.

Claims

1. A gripping device comprising a body defining a passage through which an elongate article can extend, and the body having a wall extending along the passage, and the gripping device further including a gripping arrangement mounted on the body, the gripping arrangement being movable in a first direction to a gripping position to grip the elongate article against the wall, and in a second opposite direction to a release position, wherein the gripping arrangement includes a gripping surface which moves towards the wall when the gripping arrangement is moved in the first direction and moves away from the wall when the gripping arrangement is moved in the second direction.

2. A gripping device according to claim 1 , wherein the gripping arrangement is pivotally mounted on the body, whereby the gripping arrangement is pivotally movable between the gripping and release positions.

3. A gripping device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the gripping arrangement comprises a pivoting member pivotally attached to the body, and wherein the pivoting member includes the gripping surface.

4. A gripping device according to claim 3, wherein the gripping arrangement includes a release portion to move the gripping arrangement to the non-gripping position.

5. A gripping device according to claim 4, wherein the release portion comprises a lever portion.

6. A gripping device according to claim 4 or 5, further including an urging member to urge the gripping arrangement to the gripping position, the urging member being configured to apply an urging force between the body and the release portion.

7. A gripping device according to claim 6, wherein when the gripping arrangement is in the gripping position, the release portion is urged by the urging member to project from the body to allow the release portion to be pressed, thereby moving the gripping arrangement to the release position, and wherein the pressing of the release portion moves the release portion towards the body.

8. A gripping device according to any preceding claim, further including a holding arrangement for holding an elongate securing member, the holding arrangement comprising a main channel defined in the body through which a portion of the elongate securing member can pass.

9. A gripping device according to claim 8, including the elongate securing member, wherein the elongate securing member has opposite ends and a stop member on at least one of said ends.

10. A gripping device according to claim 9, wherein the elongate securing member comprises a respective stop member at each of the opposite ends of the elongate securing member.

11. A gripping device according to claim 8, 9 or 10, wherein the main channel has a stop formation therein to engage the elongate securing member, thereby holding the elongate securing member.

12. A gripping device according to claim 11 when dependent upon claim 9 or 10, wherein the stop formation in the main channel can engage the stop member on the elongate securing member, thereby holding the elongate securing member.

13. A gripping device according to any of claims 8 to 12, wherein the body defines an access channel to allow access for the elongate securing member to the main channel, the access channel extending transverse to the main channel.

14. A gripping device according to claim 13, wherein the access channel extends through the body and is dimensioned to allow the stop member on the elongate securing member to pass therethrough.

15. A gripping device according to any of claims 8 to 14, wherein the body defines a main slot communicating with the main channel, the main slot extending the length of the main channel.

16. A gripping device according to any of claims 8 to 15, wherein the body further defines an alignment opening through which the elongate securing member can extend when the elongate securing member is held by the body, the alignment opening being aligned with the main channel.

17. A gripping device according to claim 16, wherein the alignment opening extends to an alignment slot to allow alignment of the elongate securing member with the main slot, and thereby allow the elongate securing member to extend through the main channel, the alignment slot communicating with the main opening of the body.

18. A gripping device according to claim 17, wherein in use, the elongate securing member can be inserted through the alignment slot, and when so inserted turned to pass through the alignment slot and thereafter pass through the main slot to be received in, and extend along, the main channel through the alignment opening.

19. A gripping device according to any of claims 8 to 18, comprising two of the aforesaid holding arrangements, wherein the elongate securing member can be looped around a support, such as a post, and thereby mounted on the support.

20. A gripping device according to any preceding claim, device comprising two of the aforesaid gripping arrangements in the body.

21. A gripping device comprising a body and a gripping arrangement on the body for gripping an elongate article, and the gripping device further including a holding arrangement for holding an elongate securing member, the holding arrangement comprising a main channel defined in the body, through which a portion of the elongate securing member can pass.

22. A gripping device according to claim 21 , wherein the gripping arrangement is pivotally mounted on the body, whereby the gripping arrangement is pivotally movable between the gripping and release positions.

23. A gripping device according to claim 21 or 22, wherein the gripping arrangement comprises a pivoting member pivotally attached to the body, and wherein the pivoting member includes the gripping surface.

24. A gripping device according to claim 23, wherein the gripping arrangement includes a release portion to move the gripping arrangement to the non-gripping position.

25. A gripping device according to claim 24, wherein the release portion comprises a lever portion.

26. A gripping device according to claim 24 or 25, further including an urging member to urge the gripping arrangement to the gripping position, the urging member being configured to apply an urging force between the body and the release portion.

27. A gripping device according to claim 26, wherein when the gripping arrangement is in the gripping position, the release portion is urged by the urging member to project from the body to allow the release portion to be pressed, thereby moving the gripping arrangement to the release position, and wherein the pressing of the release portion moves the release portion towards the body.

28. A gripping device according to any of claims 21 to 27, including the elongate securing member, wherein the elongate securing member has opposite ends and a stop member on at least one of said ends.

29. A gripping device according to claim 28, wherein the elongate securing member comprises a respective stop member at each of the opposite ends of the elongate securing member.

30. A gripping device according to any of claims 21 to 29, wherein the main channel has a stop formation therein to engage the elongate securing member, thereby holding the elongate securing member.

31. A gripping device according to claim 30 when dependent upon claim 28 or 29, wherein the stop formation in the main channel can engage the stop member on the elongate securing member, thereby holding the elongate securing member.

32. A gripping device according to any of claims 21 to 31 , wherein the body defines an access channel to allow access for the elongate securing member to the main channel, the access channel extending transverse to the main channel.

33. A gripping device according to claim 32, wherein the access channel extends through the body and is dimensioned to allow the stop member on the elongate securing member to pass therethrough.

34. A gripping device according to any of claims 21 to 33, wherein the body defines a main slot communicating with the main channel, the main slot extending the length of the main channel.

35. A gripping device according to any of claims 21 to 34, wherein the body further defines an alignment opening through which the elongate securing member can extend when the elongate securing member is held by the body, the alignment opening being aligned with the main channel.

36. A gripping device according to claim 35, wherein the alignment opening extends to an alignment slot to allow alignment of the elongate securing member with the main slot, and thereby allow the elongate securing member to extend through the main channel, the alignment slot communicating with the main opening of the body.

37. A gripping device according to claim 36, wherein in use, the elongate securing member can be inserted through the alignment slot, and when so inserted turned to pass through the alignment slot and thereafter pass through the main slot to be received in, and extend along, the main channel through the alignment opening.

38. A gripping device according to any of claims 21 to 37, comprising two of the aforesaid holding arrangements, wherein the elongate securing member can be looped around a support, such as a post, and thereby mounted on the support.

39. A gripping device according to claims 21 to 38, device comprising two of the aforesaid gripping arrangements in the body.

40. A gripping device substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.