GB2258896A

GB2258896A - Ratchet tensioning system for cables and ropes

Info

Publication number: GB2258896A
Application number: GB9118111A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anthony Theophane; Charles Simon Agg
Original assignee: DUCKBILL ANCHORS Ltd
Current assignee: DUCKBILL ANCHORS Ltd
Priority date: 1991-08-22
Filing date: 1991-08-22
Publication date: 1993-02-24
Anticipated expiration: 2011-08-22
Also published as: GB9118111D0; GB2258896B

Abstract

The invention relates to a ratchet tensioning system, in particular for use with cables and guy ropes. The ratchet tensioner 10 comprises a body 11, 12, a ratchet wheel 14 rotably mounted in said body 11, 12, means 18 for preventing said wheel 14 from rotating in one direction, two holes 17 bored through the wheel 14 perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the wheel for receiving a cable, rope or the like and means (25) to turn the wheel 14. <IMAGE>

Description

RATCHET TENSIONING SYSTEM The invention relates to a ratchet tensioning system, in particular for use with cables and guy ropes.

Ratchet systems are known which have a wide variety of uses, which on the whole are anchored at one end and operate to provide tension in a cable fed in from the opposite end.

Objects of the present invention include improvement in the overall efficiency and speed of tensioning systems towards better control and stability of the cables under tension.

According to the present invention there is provided a ratchet tensioner comprising a body, a ratchet wheel rotably mounted in said body, means for preventing said wheel from rotating in one direction, two holes bored through the wheel perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the wheel for receiving a cable, rope or the like and means to turn the wheel.

Further features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, by way of example only, of one embodiment of the invention, the description being read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- FIG. 1 is a side elevation of the ratchet tensioner of the invention; FIG. 2 is an end elevation of the ratchet tensioner of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is the plan view of the ratchet tensioner of FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is a front sectional elevation of the ratchet tensioner of FIG. 1 on the line IV-IV of FIG.

3 showing the cables in positioning; and FIG. 5 is a side elevation showing a crank lever engaged with a ratchet wheel.

Referring to FIG. 1 there can be seen a ratchet tensioner 10. The ratchet tensioner comprises two flange portions 11 held spaced slightly apart at each end by means of rivets 12 and shaped to have an enlarged space between the riveted ends.

Supported on an axle 13 is a ratchet wheel 14.

The axle 13 is in turn supported by the flange portions 11 as seen in FIGS. 2 and 3.

The ratchet wheel 14 has two sprockets and a central hub portion 16 which has two holes 17 bored therethrough. The holes 17 are of a suitable diameter to receive a cable, rope or the like which can be threaded from one side of the hub 16 through to the other. The ratchet stop 18 which prevents the wheel 14 from rotating in one direction comprises a bar which is supported at either end by flange portions 11 parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel 14. Caps 19 on each of the bar 18 hold the bar 18 in position whilst allowing it to slide within slots 20 in the flange portions 11. Thus the ratchet stop 18 can be slid into a position whereby the wheel 14 can rotate in both directions or another position whereby it can only rotate in one direction.

Before use, a cable 22 having an end cap 19 is threaded through one of the holes 17 in the ratchet wheel hub portion 16. The cable 22 passes out of the ratchet tensioner 10 between the ends of the flange portions 11 where they are held together with the rivet fastener 12. The other free end of the cable 22 is passed through the other of the holes 17 in the same direction, once the excess cable has been trimmed. Whilst holding the cable 22 in position, the wheel 14 can be rotated a couple of notches past the bar 18 until the cable 22 is firmly gripped in position. A lever 25 is then engaged with an end of the axle 13, which is shaped to co-operate with a recess 26 in the end of the lever 25 to prevent relative movement therebetween. As the lever 25 is cranked backwards and forwards the wheel 14 turns in one direction only causing the tensioning cable 22 to wrap around the wheel hub 16 and thereby tensioning the cable 22.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A ratchet tensioner comprising a body, a ratchet wheel rotably mounted in said body, means for preventing said wheel from rotating in one direction, two holes bored through the wheel perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the wheel for receiving a cable, rope or the like and means to turn the wheel.

2. A ratchet tensioner as claimed in claim 1 in which the ratchet wheel has a hub in which said holes are bored.

3. A ratchet tensioner as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 in which the ratchet wheel has two sprockets.

4. A ratchet tensioner as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the means for preventing said wheel from rotating in one direction is selectively applicable.

5. A ratchet tensioner as claimed in claim 4 in which the wheel rotating preventing means comprise a bar mounted in said body parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel.

6. A method of tensioning using the ratchet tensioner of FIG. 1 comprising the steps of feeding a cable, rope or the like through the hole in the ratchet wheel, making a loop and feeding an end of said cable, rope or the like through the other hole, operating the means for preventing said wheel from rotating in one direction and turning the wheel in the opposite direction.

7. A ratchet tensioner as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.