US2540426A - Safety cable - Google Patents

Description

5. CAMPBELL Feb. 6, 1951 SAFETY CABLE Filed Nov. 12, 1948 u e a 4 w m x Samuel Campbell Patented Feb. 6, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SAFETY CABLE Samuel Campbell, Chicago, Ill.

Application November 12, 1948, Serial No. 59,525

2 Claims.

This invention relates to novel and useful improvements in cable or rope clamps.

An object of this invention is to support a bucket or other object when this bucket or object is being raised and lowered in a safe manner through the utility of a clamp attached at one end firmly to a rope or cable, fasten an adjacent portion of the same rope or cable in the clamping device for sliding movement thereby simulating a lasso so that the object to be raised and lowered may be disposed in the loop, and while raising and lowering the loop may tighten against the object thereby firmly clamping the same.

Another object of this invention is to supply an improved cable clamp for use with either cables or ropes which is composed of a pair of separable center sections, each section having a groove in the sides thereof and caps disposed over both grooves, with means for retaining the caps in assembled position.

Another purpose of this invention is to insure a firm lock between two sections forming the center block by passing a rod through openings in the center block, which openings also extend through tongue and groove connection forming a portion of the sections clamping means.

Ancillary objects and features of novelty such as simplicity of structure will become apparent to those skilled in the art, in following the description of the preferred form of the invention.

illustrated in the accompanying drawings. wherein:

Figure 1 is an elevational side view of the preferred form of the invention:

Figure 2 is an end view of the device shown in Figura 1;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 3 3 of Figure 2 and in the direction of the arrows:

Figure 4 is a transverse section taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 1 and in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the section forming the center block, and;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of another section forming a part of the center block.

The instant device has many uses. Among the uses is the function of a conventional cable or rope clamp. An equally important use is a specially provided rope clamp or cable clamp attachable to objects which are raised and lowered such as tar buckets, bags of insulation and many other objects utilized 'in Construction of buildings, repair of buildings etc.

A center block is composed of a pair of separable sections o and !2 respectively. The section w is supplied with a groove |4 which extends only partially across the said section Hi. A tongue IS is fixed to the block !2 and is substantially T- shaped in cross section in order to match with the shape of the groove l4. The said tongue IE fits into the groove |4 thereby retaining the sections n and |2 together in a fashion so that they may be separated when it is found desirable.

In order to lock the sections together firmly and in such a manner that inadvertent separation is virtually impossible, an opening 20 is supplied in the section o and also in the tongue !6. A rod or bar 22 passes through the opening 20 thereby preventing relative movement of one section with respect to the other.

Passages 24 and 26 respectively are provided in the sections ID and |2 at spaced inter-vais. The passages are of suflicient size that the webs lunnumbered) of the U-bolts and 28 respectively may pass therethrough with a slight amount of lost motion.

The said U-bolts 28 and 30 respectively have nuts (unnumbered) at the ends thereof. The said ends of the U-bolts extend through ears 32 which are fixed to caps 34 and 35 respectively, one being supplied for each section lo and z respectively.

The sides of the sections lli and |2 respectively are provided with grooves and 42 respectively accommodating a rope or cable 44. It is noted that the caps 34 and 35 respectively have complemental grooves 45 and 48 respectively also adapted to engage the rope or cable 44.

Viewing Figure 4 it is noted that the cable 44 is disposed on one side between the cap 34 and the section lfl and more speciflcally in the grooves 40 and 45 respectively. The nuts on the U-bolts 311 are drawn down tightly in order to firmly clamp this end of the rope 44.

The other end of the rope 44 is passed through a similar structure but, is rather loosely embraced in order that it may be free to slide therethrough.

Accordingly, an object placed in the loop 50 formed in the rope is clamped firmly upon application of a force to the rope such as would be applied in raising and lowering the object It is apparent that the heavier the object is, the tighter it will be clamped in the said loop 50. This is to insure firm clamping of the object, tending to prevent inadvertent falling. It is also apparent that when the object is at rest, the loop is easily removed since it loosens.

In splicing cables and ropes the instant device may be used to great advantage, particularly in jobs where temporary splicing is necessary. It is appreciated that one end of the first rope may be clamped in the grooves 46 and 40, while an end of the rope to be added thereto is simply disposed in the grooves 42 and 48 respectively. Then. the U-bolt tightened and the result is a spliced single rope.

It is also apparent that the clamp disclosed herewith may be used as a conventional cable clamp when the U-bolts 26 and 30 are Dulled tight, rather than When only one set of U-bolts is tightened.

certain variations may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A clamp for ropes. cables and similar articles comprising a first and second block, means for releasably connecting said blocks. outwardly opening article receiving grooves in one side of each of said hlocks, caps disposed over said g'ooves and having grooves in conronting relation with the first mentioned grooves, means adjustably and removably attaching said caps to said blocks, said blocks connecting means comprising a tongue fixed to one of said blocks on the side opposite the grooved side and a groove in the other block extending partially thereacross so that one end of said tongue abuts an end of the last mentioned groove to thereby form a stopl 2. A clamp for ropes, cables and similar articles comprising a first and second block, means for releasably connecting said blocks, outwardly opening grooves in one side of each of said blocks. caps disposed over said grooves and means adjustably and removably attaching said caps to said blocks, said blocks connecting means comprising a tongue fixed to one of said blocks and a groove in the other block extending only partially thereacross, a lock member removably disposed in said tongue and groove, said caps fastening means including a plurality of U-bolts carried by said blocks, apertured ears extending from said caps, and said U-bolts being passed through the apertures in said ears.

SAMUEL CAMPBELL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATE'NTS Number Name Date 562.550 Merritt June 23, 1896 895,370 Hendershot et al. Aug. 4, 1908 l,001,380 Francis Aug. 22, 1911 1,170,429 Dunlap Feb. 1, 1916 13735212 Pawsat Nov. 12, 1929 1372395 Iseman Aug. 5, 1930 l,976,533 Affleck et al. Oct. 9, 1934 2277.424 White Mar. 24, 1942 2,322-,583 Marshall June 22, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date %5,130 Italy Dec. 17, 1936

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