Wedge-type rope socket connection and method

• US RE32,847 E
• Filed: 12/08/1986
• Issued: 01/31/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/1984
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ESCO Corporation (WEIR Group PLC)
• Original Assignee: ESCO Corporation (WEIR Group PLC)
• Inventors: Van Hoomissen, Robert L., Briscoe, Terry L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sakran, Victor N.
• Application Number:
  US06/939,065
• Time in Patent Office: 785 Days
• Field of Search: 24/136 R, 24/115 R, 24/115 M, 24/136 K, 24/136 L, 24/134 WL, 403/211, 403/16, 403/213, 403/409, 285/421
• US Class Current: 24/136.00R
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/4345 with wedge clamp

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 lenghts, 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. .Iadd.

7. A collapsible support for resisting a clamping force comprising three stacked, longitudinally tapered members arranged to slide relative to each other, wedge-forming means including an element adjacent each of the end members of said stack for applying a compressive load to the stack end members, the middle of the three stacked members having an angle of taper relative to each of the adjacent end members, said angle of taper having a tangent greater than the coefficient of friction between adjacent members, and housing means operably associated with said three members releasably constraining the same against sliding movement longitudinally relative to each other, whereby when said constraining housing means is removed, the middle of said members automatically is ejected relative to said adjacent end members to relieve said compressive load.