Wedge-type rope socket connection and method

• US 4,561,154 A
• Filed: 04/26/1984
• Issued: 12/31/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/1984
• Status: Expired

• Current Assignee: ESCO Corporation (WEIR Group PLC)
• Original Assignee: ESCO Corporation (WEIR Group PLC)
• Inventors: Briscoe, Terry L., Van Hoomissen, Robert L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sakran, Victor N.
• Application Number:
  US06/604,063
• Time in Patent Office: 614 Days
• Field of Search: 24/136 R, 24/136 K, 24/136 L, 24/115 R, 24/115 M, 24/134 L, 24/134 WL, 403/16, 403/211, 403/213, 403/409
• US Class Current: 24/136.00K
• CPC Class Codes: F16G 11/046 by bending the cable around a surface
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/3969 Sliding part or wedge
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/3971 Rope looped about movable member
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/3973 Rope clamped between cone and socket
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/3996 Sliding wedge

Abstract

A socket-wedge connection for wedge-type rope socket wherein a multi-part wedge is employed having one part collapsible, finding advantageous use, for example, in the lines employed with excavating equipment.

Claims

1. A socket-wedge connection for the wedge-type rope socket for an excavating bucket or the like comprising a relatively elongated socket having a larger end and a smaller end, a tapered passage extending from one end to the other, a rope in said passage looped upon itself to provide two lengths of rope in said passage with a loop adjacent said larger end, and a relatively elongated wedge between said two lengths, said wedge having a pair of longitudinally-extending wedge-forming means with collapsible insert means therebetween for relieving pressure on said two lengths, said insert means including a plurality of longitudinally tapered block means arranged to slide relative to each other unless constrained against relative longitudinal movement.

2. The connection of claim 1 in which the angle of block taper has a tangent greater than the coefficient of friction between adjacent blocks.

3. The connection of claim 1 in which said insert means includes a heat destructible housing means for said block means to provide longitudinal constraint.

4. Socket-wedge for a wedge-type rope socket connection of an excavating bucket comprising two wedge-forming halves pivotally interconnected adjacent the small wedge end and equipped with confronting surfaces adjacent the larger wedge end, and a collapsible insert between said surfaces, said insert including a plurality of stacked tapered blocks adapted to slide relative to each other in the absence of longitudinal constraint.

5. The wedge of claim 4 in which said blocks are constructed of polished steel and the angle of taper is at least about 12°

.

6. A method of manipulating a wedge-type rope socket connection for an excavating bucket or the like comprising providing a relatively elongated socket having a tapered passage extending from one end to the other, installing a multiple-part wedge and rope in said passage wherein said wedge includes outer tapered members and a collapsible insert and, when disassembly of said connection is required, collapsing said element, said insert including a plurality of stacked tapered blocks slidable with respect to each other upon removal of a block sustaining force, and said collapsing step includes removal of said sustaining force.