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Publication Number
US-10206729-B2
Publication Date
2019-02-19
Expiration Date
Abstract
A self-locking cable gripper includes a housing having a void which tapers between openings at the housing's top and bottom. A collapsible member having a central passage is adjacent the bottom opening. A pair of half jaws are between the collapsible member and the top opening, sized such that they move towards each other as the jaws are moved toward the bottom opening due to the taper of the void. The top and bottom openings, central passage, and inner surfaces of the jaws define a channel capable of receiving a cable passed through the housing from its bottom to its top opening. When the cable is pulled in the direction opposite that with which it was installed, the half jaws are drawn toward the housing's bottom opening such that their inner surfaces are urged towards each other, thereby locking the cable in place while it is under tension.
Core Innovation
A self-locking cable gripper is provided for retaining flexible cables under load. The gripper includes a housing having a void running between openings at the top and bottom of the housing, where the void tapers from a wider portion adjacent the top opening to a narrower portion adjacent the bottom opening. A channel for receiving a cable is defined by the housing openings, a collapsible member's central passage, and the inner surfaces of a pair of half jaws.
A collapsible member is positioned within the housing adjacent the housing's bottom opening. The collapsible member has a central passage that runs between a top and bottom opening, and the housing's bottom opening is sized to retain the collapsible member within the housing. The pair of half jaws is distinct from the collapsible member and positioned within the housing between the collapsible member and the housing's top opening, with the housing's top opening sized to retain the half jaws within the housing.
The half jaws are sized such that their inner surfaces are urged towards each other when the half jaws are moved toward the housing's bottom opening due to the tapering of the void. The collapsible member is arranged to maintain the half jaws in a wider portion of the void in an open position while the cable is being passed through the housing from its bottom opening to its top opening. When the cable is pulled in the opposite direction, the collapsible member collapses to allow the half jaws to move toward the housing's bottom opening and be urged towards each other into a closed position to lock the cable under tension.
A self-locking cable gripper clasp assembly is also described, comprising at least two self-locking cable grippers coupled together. Each gripper has a housing void tapering from a wider portion adjacent a top opening to a narrower portion adjacent a bottom opening, with a collapsible member and a pair of half jaws defining a channel for a cable. The at least two self-locking cable grippers are arranged adjacent each other and oriented such that their respective channels are parallel to each other.
Claims Coverage
The partial content includes two independent claims: one directed to a self-locking cable gripper and one directed to a self-locking cable gripper clasp assembly. The independent claims share the same core locking mechanism and the clasp assembly adds parallel-channel coupling of at least two grippers.
Tapered housing void defining a channel from bottom to top openings
A housing having a void which runs between openings at the top and bottom of said housing, said void tapering from a wider portion adjacent said top opening to a narrower portion adjacent said bottom opening; wherein the housing's top and bottom openings, the collapsible member's top and bottom openings and the inner surfaces of said half jaws define a channel capable of receiving a cable passed through said housing from its bottom opening to its top opening.
Collapsible member retaining half jaws in an open position during cable passage
A collapsible member positioned within said housing adjacent said housing's bottom opening, said collapsible member having a central passage which runs between a top and bottom opening, and said housing's bottom opening sized to retain said collapsible member within said housing; wherein said collapsible member is arranged to maintain said half jaws in said wider portion of said void in an 'open' position while said cable is being passed through said housing from its bottom opening to its top opening.
Half jaws urged closed by tapering void to lock cable under tension
A pair of half jaws distinct from said collapsible member and positioned within said housing between said collapsible member and said housing's top opening, said half jaws sized such that their inner surfaces are urged towards each other when said half jaws are moved toward said housing's bottom opening due to the tapering of said void, and wherein the collapsible member collapses and allows said half jaws to move toward said housing's bottom opening and be urged towards each other into a 'closed' position when said cable is pulled in the opposite direction.
Clasp assembly of multiple grippers with parallel-oriented channels
At least two self-locking cable grippers coupled together to form the self-locking cable gripper clasp assembly, said at least two self-locking cable grippers adjacent each other and oriented such that their respective channels are parallel to each other.
Across the independent claims, the core claim coverage centers on a tapered housing void combined with a collapsible member that holds half jaws in an open position during cable passage and then collapses so the half jaws move toward the narrowed end to lock the cable under tension, with the second independent claim adding coupling of at least two such grippers with parallel channels.
Stated Advantages
Locks the cable under tension by urging the inner surfaces of the half jaws towards each other into a closed position when the cable is pulled in the opposite direction.
Maintains the half jaws in an open position while the cable is being passed through the housing from the bottom opening to the top opening.
Documented Applications
Self-locking cable gripper clasp assembly used as a clasp assembly including at least two self-locking cable grippers oriented such that their channels are parallel to each other.
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