Pulley
First Claim
1. A pulley apparatus, comprising:
- (a) a support structure including (i) a first end section, (ii) a second opposed end section including a rope channeling structure, and (iii) first and second opposed side members extending between the first and second end sections, wherein the rope channeling structure includes a first segment extending from the first side member and a second segment extending from the second side member, the first and second segments together defining an entrance portion, an exit portion, and a narrower restrictor portion, with the entrance portion being configured to channel rope toward the restrictor portion upon entrance into the pulley apparatus, the exit portion being configured to channel rope toward the restrictor portion upon exit from the pulley apparatus, and the restrictor portion being configured to inhibit rope channeled to it from passing therethrough;
(b) a hook assembly coupled to the support structure, the hook assembly including (i) a hook configured to hook the pulley apparatus to an object, (ii) a wheel axle extending between the first and second opposed side members of the support structure, and (iii) a shaft connected on one end to the hook and on an opposed end to the wheel axle; and
(c) a first wheel positioned between the first and second opposed side members of the support structure and configured to rotate about an axis defined by the wheel axle of the hook assembly, the first wheel including (i) a first-wheel central bore interfacing with the wheel axle of the hook assembly and (ii) a first-wheel groove extending around a circumference of the first wheel and being configured to receive rope.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention provide pulley apparatuses that can be easily incorporated into block-and-tackle configurations. In some embodiments, a rope can be easily dropped into place and removed, rather than having to be threaded in. For example, the pulley housing can include a rope channeling structure near the end opposite the aperture, and the rope channeling structure can facilitate introducing the rope into engagement with the wheel and/or removing the rope from engagement with the wheel. In some embodiments, the rope channeling structure can prevent the rope from inadvertently becoming removed from the pulley. Some pulley apparatuses can comprise a minimal number of parts, which can significantly simplify the manufacturing process and provide for a more consistent final product.
15 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A pulley apparatus, comprising:
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(a) a support structure including (i) a first end section, (ii) a second opposed end section including a rope channeling structure, and (iii) first and second opposed side members extending between the first and second end sections, wherein the rope channeling structure includes a first segment extending from the first side member and a second segment extending from the second side member, the first and second segments together defining an entrance portion, an exit portion, and a narrower restrictor portion, with the entrance portion being configured to channel rope toward the restrictor portion upon entrance into the pulley apparatus, the exit portion being configured to channel rope toward the restrictor portion upon exit from the pulley apparatus, and the restrictor portion being configured to inhibit rope channeled to it from passing therethrough; (b) a hook assembly coupled to the support structure, the hook assembly including (i) a hook configured to hook the pulley apparatus to an object, (ii) a wheel axle extending between the first and second opposed side members of the support structure, and (iii) a shaft connected on one end to the hook and on an opposed end to the wheel axle; and (c) a first wheel positioned between the first and second opposed side members of the support structure and configured to rotate about an axis defined by the wheel axle of the hook assembly, the first wheel including (i) a first-wheel central bore interfacing with the wheel axle of the hook assembly and (ii) a first-wheel groove extending around a circumference of the first wheel and being configured to receive rope. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A block-and-tackle kit, comprising:
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(a) a length of rope; (b) a first pulley apparatus that includes; (i) a support structure including (A) a first support structure end section, (B) a second opposed support structure end section including a rope channeling structure, and (C) first and second opposed side members extending between the first and second end sections, wherein the rope channeling structure includes a first segment extending from the first side member and a second segment extending from the second side member, the first and second segments together defining an entrance portion, an exit portion, and a narrower restrictor portion, with the entrance portion being configured to channel the rope toward the restrictor portion upon entrance into the first pulley apparatus, the exit portion being configured to channel the rope toward the restrictor portion upon exit from the first pulley apparatus, and the restrictor portion being configured to inhibit the rope channeled to it from passing therethrough, (ii) a hook assembly coupled to the support structure, the hook assembly including (A) a pulley hook, (B) a wheel axle extending between the first and second opposed side members of the support structure, and (C) a shaft connected on one end to the pulley hook and on an opposed end to the wheel axle, and (iii) a first wheel positioned between the first and second opposed side members of the support structure and configured to rotate about an axis defined by the wheel axle of the hook assembly, the first wheel including (A) a first-wheel central bore interfacing with the wheel axle of the hook assembly and (B) a first-wheel groove extending around a circumference of the first wheel and being configured to receive the rope; (c) a tie-down tensioning device that includes (i) a first housing end section defining a first tie-down aperture, the pulley hook of the first pulley apparatus being configured to hook into the first tie-down aperture, (ii) a second opposed housing end section defining a second tie-down aperture, (iii) a rope inlet in the first housing end section, (iv) a rope outlet in the first housing end section, and (v) a rope path from the rope inlet, through the second housing end section around the second tie-down aperture, through a clam cleat, and to the rope outlet; and (d) a tie-down hook adapted to hook into the second tie-down aperture. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of creating a block-and-tackle, the method comprising:
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(a) providing a first pulley apparatus that includes; (i) a support structure including (A) a first support structure end section, (B) a second opposed support structure end section including a rope channeling structure, and (C) first and second opposed side members extending between the first and second end sections, wherein the rope channeling structure includes a first segment extending from the first side member and a second segment extending from the second side member, the first and second segments together defining an entrance portion, an exit portion, and a narrower restrictor portion, (ii) a hook assembly coupled to the support structure, the hook assembly including (A) a pulley hook, (B) a wheel axle extending between the first and second opposed side members of the support structure, and (C) a shaft connected on one end to the pulley hook and on an opposed end to the wheel axle, and (iii) a first wheel positioned between the first and second opposed side members of the support structure and configured to rotate about an axis defined by the wheel axle of the hook assembly, the first wheel including (A) a first-wheel central bore interfacing with the wheel axle of the hook assembly and (B) a first-wheel groove extending around a circumference of the first wheel; (b) providing a tie-down tensioning device that includes (i) a first housing end section defining a first tie-down aperture, (ii) a second opposed housing end section defining a second tie-down aperture, (iii) a rope inlet in the first housing end section, (iv) a rope outlet in the first housing end section, and (v) a rope path from the rope inlet, through the second housing end section around the second tie-down aperture, through a clam cleat, and to the rope outlet; (c) feeding a leading end of a rope through the tie-down tensioning device by feeding the leading end of the rope into the rope inlet, along the rope path, and out through the rope outlet; (d) fixing the tie-down tensioning device to a stationary object; (e) introducing an intermediate portion of a trailing end of the rope to the first pulley apparatus by contacting the entrance portion of the rope channeling structure with the rope, pressing the rope past the restrictor portion of the rope channeling structure, and positioning the rope in the first-wheel groove; and (f) securing an end portion of the trailing end of the rope to create the block-and-tackle. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification