Spring-loaded compression cable grab

• US 7,007,350 B1
• Filed: 12/23/2003
• Issued: 03/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gary J. Franke
• Original Assignee: Gary J. Franke
• Inventors: Franke, Gary J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Brittain, James R.
• Application Number:
  US10/747,706
• Time in Patent Office: 805 Days
• Field of Search: 241/36.B, 241/36.R, 241/15.M, 294/132, 294/134, 294/102.1, 403/369, 403/314, 403/374.4, 439/820, 279/49, 279/52, 279/53, 279/56
• US Class Current: 24/136.00R
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 35/04 incorporating energy absorbing means
• CPC Class Codes: E04C 5/122 the tensile members are anchored by wedge-action
• CPC Class Codes: E04G 21/3261 Safety-nets; Safety mattresses; Arrangements on buildings for connecting safety-lines jumping-sheets, jumping-mattresses A62B1/22
• CPC Class Codes: E04G 21/3276 Arrangements on buildings for connecting safety-lines fastening devices for devices for lowering persons from buildings A62B1/04
• CPC Class Codes: E04G 21/3295 Guide tracks for safety lines arrangements for bypassing safety track supports without life line disconnection A62B35/0087
• CPC Class Codes: F16G 11/04 with wedging action, e.g. friction clamps F16G11/02, F16G11/10 take precedence; eyes for grommet-thimble type fastenings F16G11/146
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/3969 Sliding part or wedge
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/3978 Screw actuated

Abstract

A spring-loaded compression cable grab (20) that is used for cinching and attaching a wire rope cable to a fixed object. The cable grab consists of a hollow cylindrical chuck (26) having a tapered socket (32) and a pair of bifurcated arms (40) attached to the sides. A collet (46) is disposed within the tapered socket that includes a bore (48) within, having an inside diameter compatible with a wire rope cable. A hollow chuck cap (54) is attached to the chuck with a compression spring (60) disposed within the chuck between the collet and the chuck cap, which urges the collet into the tapered socket. The grab functions such that after a cable has been inserted into the chuck first end and is manually cinched tightly, the collet firmly grips a wire rope cable on the bore in the collet when a cable is pulled in an opposite direction. A hollow bolt (62) is attached to the chuck and when rotated inward against the collet, the collet is forced away from the tapered socket, thus releasing the grip for de-tensioning or removal of the cable grab from the wire rope cable.

Claims

1. A spring-loaded compression cable grab for attaching a wire rope cable to a fixed object comprising,

a) a hollow cylindrical chuck having a first end and a second end, with a tapered socket formed within the hollow between the first end and the second end,

b) a pair of bifurcated arms attached onto said chuck for attachment of the spring-loaded compression cable grab,

c) a collet slideably disposed within the tapered socket of the hollow chuck, with said collet having a bore within an inside diameter compatible with a wire rope cable,

d) a hollow chuck cap attached to the chuck second end,

e) a compression spring disposed within the chuck between the collet and the chuck cap, urging the collet into the tapered socket such that after a cable has been inserted freely into the chuck'"'"'s first end, the collet firmly grips the wire rope cable on the bore in the collet when a cable is pulled in an opposite direction, and

f) a hollow bolt threadably attached to the chuck first end, when said hollow bolt is rotated inwardly against the collet the collet is forced away from the tapered socket, thus releasing the grip for removal of the cable grab from a wire rope cable.

2. The spring-loaded compression cable grab as recited in claim 1 wherein said hollow cylindrical chuck further comprises internal threads in the first end and internal threads in the second end for threadably receiving said hollow bolt in the first end and threadably receiving said hollow chuck cap in the second end.

3. The spring-loaded compression cable grab as recited in claim 1 wherein said hollow cylindrical chuck further comprises a cylindrical configuration having a enlarged circular portion on the first end, with the circular portion having a pair of opposed flats configured to receive said bifurcated arms.

4. The spring-loaded compression cable grab as recited in claim 1 wherein said pair of bifurcated arms further comprise a weld joint on a first end for attachment to said hollow cylindrical chuck.

5. The spring-loaded compression cable grab as recited in claim 1 wherein said pair of bifurcated arms have a shape that is offset to contiguously engage each arm on a second end opposite the weld joint.

6. The spring-loaded compression cable grab as recited in claim 5 wherein said pair of bifurcated arms having a hole through both arms at a second end for attachment to a fixed object.

7. The spring-loaded compression cable grab as recited in claim 1 wherein said collet further comprises a plurality of tapered segments retained with an o-ring on a largest end for gripping a cable contained by the bore formed within the segments.

8. The spring-loaded compression cable grab as recited in claim 7 wherein said collet tapered segments further comprise at least three discrete segments.

9. The spring-loaded compression cable grab as recited in claim 1 wherein said hollow chuck cap further comprises a set of external threads for attachment to said chuck.

10. The spring-loaded compression cable grab as recited in claim 9 wherein said chuck cap further comprises a knurled surface on an end opposite the external threads.

11. The spring-loaded compression cable grab as recited in claim 1 wherein said compression spring formed of a material selected from the group consisting of stainless steel and spring steel.

12. The spring-loaded compression cable grab as recited in claim 1 wherein said hollow bolt further comprises a hex head on one end and a plurality of external threads on the other, with the threads compatible with the first end hollow in the cylindrical chuck.

13. The spring-loaded compression cable grab as recited in claim 1 further comprising an all steel construction.

14. A spring-loaded compression cable grab for attaching a wire rope cable to a fixed object comprising,

a) a hollow cylindrical chuck having a tapered socket formed within, and a pair of bifurcated arms attached to an outside surface of said chuck,

b) a collet slideably disposed within the tapered socket, and a hollow chuck cap attached to the chuck,

e) a compression spring disposed within the chuck for urging the collet into the tapered socket such that after a cable has been inserted into the chuck the collet firmly grips a wire rope cable when a cable is pulled in an opposite direction, and

d) a hollow bolt attached to the chuck, for cable removal by rotating said bolt inwardly forcing the collet away from the tapered socket releasing the grip on the cable, and

e) said hollow cylindrical chuck having internal threads in a first end and internal threads in a second end for threadably receiving said hollow bolt in the first end and threadably receiving said hollow chuck cap in the second end.