Self-Tightening Cable Clamp

Abstract

A clamp for use with a cable or safety includes a receiving member and a jamming member configured to move relative to the receiving member. In use, an end of the safety line is looped around the jamming member. The clamp further may include an actuator, which is adjustable to reconfigure the clamp between: an unlocked state, wherein in the unlocked state the safety line can be moved through the clamp, and a locked state, wherein in the locked state the jamming member is urged into the receiving member. The safety line is thus clamped between the jamming member and at least a portion of the receiving member. The actuator may be a handle and the position of the handle may be manually adjustable. The clamp may include at least one indicator to provide a visual indication of the state of the clamp.

Claims

1-76. (canceled)

77. A clamp for use with a safety line, the clamp comprising: a receiving member; a jamming member movably mounted relative to the receiving member, wherein, in use, an end of the safety line is looped around the jamming member; an actuator configured for moving the jamming member relative to the receiving member, wherein the actuator is movable to reconfigure the clamp between: an unlocked state in which the safety line is movable between the receiving member and the jamming member; and a locked state in which the safety line is clamped between the jamming member and at least a portion of the receiving member; and at least one indicator configured to provide a visual indication of the unlocked state or the locked state of the clamp.

78. The clamp of claim 77, wherein the at least one indicator comprises a first indicator configured to provide a visual indication that the clamp can self-tighten in response to a load applied to the safety line.

79. The clamp of claim 78, wherein the first indicator is visible or concealed when the clamp is in the locked state.

80. The clamp of claim 77, wherein the at least one indicator comprises a colored portion that is a different color compared to remaining portions of the clamp.

81. The clamp of claim 77, wherein the clamp comprises a chassis connected to the jamming member and a chassis housing, wherein the first indicator is formed on a portion of the chassis housing.

82. The clamp of claim 77, wherein the at least one indicator comprises a second indicator configured to provide a visual indication that the clamp is in the locked state, wherein the second indicator is visible or concealed in the locked state.

83. The clamp of claim 77, wherein, in response to the application of force on the safety line in the locked state, the jamming member is urged further into the receiving member into a second locked state.

84. The clamp of claim 77, wherein the actuator comprises a handle, and wherein the handle is rotatable to reconfigure the clamp between the unlocked state and the locked state.

85. The clamp of claim 84, wherein rotational movement of the handle results in a sliding movement of the jamming member relative to the receiving member.

86. The clamp of claim 77, wherein the jamming member is slidably mounted to the receiving member.

87. The clamp of claim 77, wherein the receiving member comprises a pair of clamping surfaces, wherein the clamping surfaces are arranged to engage the safety line in the locked state.

88. The clamp of claim 77, wherein the jamming member has a tapered or wedge shape.

89. The clamp of claim 77, wherein the jamming member has a notched or a toothed surface on two sides of the tapered or wedge shape.

90. A horizontal safety line system comprising: a clamp comprising: a receiving member; a jamming member movably mounted relative to the receiving member, wherein, in use, an end of the safety line is looped around the jamming member; an actuator configured for moving the jamming member relative to the receiving member, wherein the actuator is movable to reconfigure the clamp between: an unlocked state in which the safety line is movable between the receiving member and the jamming member; and a locked state in which the safety line is clamped between the jamming member and at least a portion of the receiving member; and a safety line comprising a first end configured to be connected to an anchor point and a second end clamped between the receiving member and the jamming member, wherein the clamp, in the locked state, is configured to self-tighten the safety line in response to a load applied to the safety line.

91. The horizontal safety line system of claim 90, wherein the safety line is a metal wire rope or a metal wire cable.

92. The horizontal safety line system of claim 90, wherein the second end of the safety line comprises a stop member arranged to prevent the safety line being removed from the clamp during use.

93. The horizontal safety line system of claim 90, further comprising one or more travellers arranged on the safety line, wherein each of the one or more travellers is configured for connecting to a personal safety line connected to a user.

94. The horizontal safety line system of claim 90, further comprising at least one indicator configured to provide a visual indication of the unlocked state or the locked state of the clamp.

95. The horizontal safety line system of claim 90, wherein the at least one indicator comprises a first indicator configured to provide a visual indication that the clamp can self-tighten in response to a load applied to the safety line.

96. The horizontal safety line system of claim 95, wherein the first indicator is visible or concealed when the clamp is in the locked state.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0089] Illustrative embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, in relation to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0090] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an embodiment of a clamp according to some non-limiting embodiments or aspects of the present disclosure;

[0091] FIG. 2 is a side view of the clamp of FIG. 1 when assembled and in an unlocked state;

[0092] FIG. 3 is an internal cross section of the clamp of FIG. 2 in the unlocked state including a safety line;

[0093] FIG. 4 is side view of the clamp of FIG. 2 moving from the unlocked state towards the locked state;

[0094] FIG. 5 is an internal cross section of the clamp of FIG. 4 in a configuration between the unlocked state and the locked state;

[0095] FIG. 6 is a side view of the clamp of FIG. 1 when assembled and in a locked state;

[0096] FIG. 7 is an internal cross section of the clamp of FIG. 6 in the locked state;

[0097] FIG. 8 is a side view of the clamp of FIG. 6 when in a second locked state;

[0098] FIG. 9 is an internal cross section of the clamp of FIG. 8 in the second locked state; and

[0099] FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration of a horizontal safety line system including the clamp as shown in FIGS. 1-9.

[0100] It will be appreciated that FIGS. 1-10 are schematic drawings and features are not necessarily drawn to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0101] As used herein, the singular form of “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Spatial or directional terms, such as “left”, “right”, “inner”, “outer”, “above”, “below”, and the like, relate to the embodiments or aspects as shown in the drawing figures and are not to be considered as limiting as the embodiments or aspects can assume various alternative orientations. All numbers used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about” or “approximately”. By “about” or “approximately” is meant within plus or minus twenty-five percent of the stated value. However, this should not be considered as limiting to any analysis of the values under the doctrine of equivalents.

[0102] Unless otherwise indicated, all ranges or ratios disclosed herein are to be understood to encompass the beginning and ending values and any and all subranges or subratios subsumed therein. For example, a stated range or ratio of “1 to 10” should be considered to include any and all subranges or subratios between (and inclusive of) the minimum value of 1 and the maximum value of 10; that is, all subranges or subratios beginning with a minimum value of 1 or more and ending with a maximum value of 10 or less. The ranges and/or ratios disclosed herein represent the average values over the specified range and/or ratio.

[0103] The terms “first”, “second”, and the like are not intended to refer to any particular order or chronology, but refer to different conditions, properties, or elements. All documents referred to herein are “incorporated by reference” in their entirety. The term “at least” is synonymous with “greater than or equal to”.

[0104] As used herein, “at least one of” is synonymous with “one or more of”. For example, the phrase “at least one of A, B, or C” means any one of A, B, or C, or any combination of any two or more of A, B, or C. For example, “at least one of A, B, and C” includes A alone; or B alone; or C alone; or A and B; or A and C; or B and C; or all of A, B, and C. The word “comprising” and “comprises”, and the like, does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those listed in any claim or the specification as a whole. In the present specification, “comprises” means “includes” and “comprising” means “including”.

[0105] As used herein, the terms “parallel” or “substantially parallel” mean a relative angle as between two objects (if extended to theoretical intersection), such as elongated objects and including reference lines, that is from 0° to 5°, or from 0° to 3°, or from 0° to 2°, or from 0° to 1°, or from 0° to 0.5°, or from 0° to 0.25°, or from 0° to 0.1°, inclusive of the recited values. As used herein, the terms “perpendicular”, “transverse”, “substantially perpendicular”, or “substantially transverse” mean a relative angle as between two objects at their real or theoretical intersection is from 85° to 90°, or from 87° to 90°, or from 88° to 90°, or from 89° to 90°, or from 89.5° to 90°, or from 89.75° to 90°, or from 89.9° to 90°, inclusive of the recited values.

[0106] The discussion of various embodiments or aspects may describe certain features as being “particularly” or “preferably” within certain limitations (e.g., “preferably”, “more preferably”, or “even more preferably”, within certain limitations). It is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to these particular or preferred limitations but encompasses the entire scope of the various embodiments and aspects described herein. The disclosure comprises, consists of, or consists essentially of, the following embodiments or aspects, in any combination. Various embodiments or aspects of the disclosure are illustrated in separate drawing figures. However, it is to be understood that this is simply for ease of illustration and discussion. In the practice of the disclosure, one or more embodiments or aspects shown in one drawing figure can be combined with one or more embodiments or aspects shown in one or more of the other drawing figures.

[0107] FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of a clamp 10 in accordance with some non-limiting embodiments or aspects of the present disclosure.

[0108] The clamp 10 includes a jamming member 16. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the jamming member 16 is a wedge having a tapered shape. It will be appreciated that jamming members 16 having other shapes may be used.

[0109] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the jamming member 16 has a notched or toothed surface 17 on both sides of the wedge. The jamming member 16 is configured to be inserted into a receiving member 18. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the receiving member 18 is formed of two segments 18a, 18b. The receiving member 18 includes clamping blocks or clamping surfaces 19. In use, an end of a safety line is looped around the jamming member 16 and the safety line is clamped between the toothed surface 17 and the clamping surface 19 of the receiving member 18. This type of clamp is sometimes referred to as a wedge socket.

[0110] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the clamp 10 includes a handle 11 having a housing 12. The housing 12 may have a textured outer surface to improve grip. It will be appreciated that, in some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the handle 11 may be replaced by a different actuator mechanism.

[0111] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, a top hat nut 40 is mounted to the housing 12 by a pair of pins 13. The housing 12 and the top hat nut 40 are threadedly mounted on a shaft 15. The top hat nut 40 includes a body 41 and a projecting rim 42. The body 41 of the top hat nut 40 is received through an aperture 14a in a top or engagement surface 14′ of a chassis or frame 14.

[0112] It will be appreciated that the present disclosure is not limited to the use of a top hat nut 40. Other actuators could be used in place of the top hat nut 40.

[0113] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the jamming member 16 further includes an opening into which a spacer member 20 is inserted. Each segment 18a, 18b of the receiving member 18 includes an opening 21 configured to be aligned with the spacer member 20. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the chassis 14 is connected to the jamming member 16 by a fastener (e.g., bolt) 22. The fastener 22 is inserted through apertures 14b, openings 21 and the aperture 20a in the spacer member 20. Thus, movement of the chassis 14 results in movement of the jamming member 16 relative to the receiving member 18.

[0114] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the jamming member 16 further includes an additional slot 23. A fastener (e.g., bolt) 25 is inserted through the slot 23 and through apertures 24 in the receiving member 18a 18b. Thus, the jamming member 16 is slidably mounted to the receiving member 18.

[0115] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, a nut 28 is mounted on the threaded shaft 15. The nut 28 is preferably not a top-hat nut. The nut 28 is received into the square apertures 26 in the receiving member 18a, 18b. As such, the nut 28 prevents the threaded shaft 15 from rotating and sliding relative to the receiving member 18. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the nut 28 may be fixed in position on the threaded shaft 15 by a pin or similar fastener (not shown).

[0116] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, a chassis housing 30 is arranged to encase or house the chassis 14. The chassis housing 30 includes an indicator portion 31. As detailed below, the indicator portion 31 of the chassis housing is not visible when the clamp 10 is in the locked state. The indicator portion 31 may be referred to as a first indicator. The indicator portion 31 may be a different colour to the remainder of the chassis housing 30. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the chassis housing 30 may be made of plastic to reduce the weight of the clamp 10.

[0117] In use, the handle 11 is twisted or rotated relative to the shaft 15 to reconfigure the clamp 10 between an unlocked state, in which a cable or safety line can be inserted into or removed from the clamp, and a locked state in which the cable or safety line is retained between the jamming member 16 and the receiving member 18.

[0118] FIG. 2 shows the clamp 10 in the unlocked state. The first indicator 31 is visible, as it extends beyond the handle housing 12. In this non-limiting embodiment or aspect, the first indicator 31 is only visible (by an external user when the clamp 10 is assembled) in the unlocked and second locked states. If the first indicator 31 is visible this means that the clamp 10 cannot self-tighten (e.g., the jamming member 16 cannot move further towards the receiving member 18) when a load is applied to the safety line. If the first indicator 31 is not visible this means that the clamp 10 can self-tighten when a load is applied to the safety line. Thus, the first indicator 31 may be referred to as the self-tightening indicator.

[0119] In addition, in the unlocked state as shown in FIG. 2, a portion of the slot 21 in the receiving member 18 is also visible adjacent the chassis housing 30. The slot 21 displays a portion 20 of the spacer member therethrough. The slot 21 and spacer member 20 form a second indicator. In this embodiment, the second indicator 21, 20 is only visible in the unlocked state. Thus, the second indicator 21, 20 provides a visual indication that the clamp needs to be tightened in order to retain the safety line in the clamp.

[0120] As both the first indicator 31 and the second indicator 20, 21 are visible, this provides visible confirmation that the clamp 10 is in the unlocked state.

[0121] FIG. 3 shows a cross section through the clamp in FIG. 2 when in use with a safety line 50, to allow the configuration of the internal parts to be seen. The safety line 50 is looped around the jamming member 16, such that the safety line 50 contacts the toothed surface 17 and extends around the periphery of the jamming member 16. In the unlocked state as shown, the safety line 50 is not compressed between the jamming member 16 and the clamping surfaces 19 of the receiving member. The safety line 50 can therefore be pulled through the clamp 10 in the unlocked state, to adjust the length or tension of the safety line 50.

[0122] The safety line 50 is omitted from FIGS. 4-9 to allow the relative position of the jamming member 16 and the receiving member 18 to be seen more clearly.

[0123] In the unlocked state, the handle 11 has been rotated to move the handle 11, including housing 12 and the top hat nut 40, along the threaded shaft 15 in the direction shown by arrow A. There is a gap between the handle housing 12 and the top (or engagement surface) 14′ of the chassis 14. The rim 42 of the top hat nut 40 does not fit through the aperture 14a in the chassis 14. Thus, when the rim 42 of the top hat nut 40 abuts the chassis 14, further movement of the handle 11 pulls the chassis 14 in the direction shown by arrow A, thereby sliding the jamming member 16 away from the receiving member 18.

[0124] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, movement of the chassis 14 and jamming member 16 relative to the receiving member 18 is limited by the length of the slot 23. When the fastener 25 contacts the end of the slot 23 (as shown in FIG. 3) then further movement of the chassis 14 and jamming member 16 in the direction shown by arrow A is prevented. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, to secure the safety line 50 in the clamp 10 the handle 11 must be rotated in the opposite direction to move the reconfigure the clamp into the locked state, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 7. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, rotation of the handle 11 can be done manually and does not require the use of any tools. This makes it easier and quicker to assemble and set-up.

[0125] FIGS. 4-5 show the clamp 10 transitioning from the unlocked state in FIG. 2 towards the locked state. In other words, FIGS. 4-5 illustrate the clamp 10 in a configuration between the fully unlocked state and the locked state. The handle 11, including housing 12 and top hat nut 40, has been moved along the threaded shaft 15 in the direction shown by arrow B. The handle 11 has been rotated until the housing 12 covers or conceals the first indicator 31 (see FIG. 4). However, the second indicator 21, 20 is still visible. This is because the chassis 14 and the jamming member 16 have not moved from the position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, there is a configuration between the locked state and the unlocked state (or between FIGS. 3 and 5) in which neither the handle housing 12 nor the rim 42 of the top hat nut are in engagement with the chassis 14.

[0126] As shown in FIG. 5, there is no longer a gap between the handle housing 12 and the top 14′ of the chassis. The handle housing 12 has moved along the shaft 15 until it abuts or engages the top 14′ of the chassis 14. The body 41 of the top hat nut 40 has moved through aperture 14a in the chassis along the shaft 15. There is a gap or space between the rim 42 of the top hat nut and the top 14′ of the chassis. There is also a gap or space between the rim 42 of the top hat nut and the end 27 of the receiving member 18 adjacent to the nut 28.

[0127] In this configuration, the first indicator 31 is not visible but the second indicator 20, 21 is visible. This confirms to the user the chassis 14 can move if a load is applied to the safety line 50, but the safety line would not be retained in the clamp 10. The handle 11 needs to be turned further in order to secure reconfigure the clamp 10 into the locked state, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. FIGS. 6 and 7 show the clamp 10 in the locked state in which the safety line (not shown) is securely clamped between the toothed surface 17 of the jamming member 16 and the clamping surfaces 19 of the receiving member 18.

[0128] From the configuration shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the handle 11 has been further rotated to move the handle housing 12 and top-hat nut 40 along the shaft 15 in the direction shown by arrow B. As the housing 12 contacts the top 14′ of the chassis 14, this further movement of the handle housing 12 starts to push the chassis in the direction shown by arrow B. The movement of the chassis 14 causes the slot 23 of the jamming member 16 to slide relative to the receiving member 18 bringing the toothed surface 17 of the jamming member 17 closer to the clamping surface 19, thereby securely clamping the safety line therebetween (not shown). In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the large clamping area reduces damage to the safety line when in the locked state.

[0129] In addition, the movement of the chassis 14 results in movement of the chassis housing 30 in direction B. The user rotates the handle 11 until the chassis housing 30 covers or conceals the second indicator 21, 20. Thus, in the locked state neither the first indicator 31 nor the second indicator 21, 20 should be visible. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the indicators 31, 21, 20 provide visual indication that the clamp 10 is safe to use without requiring the user to check the torque of bolts or physically inspect the clamp 10 in any way.

[0130] If the clamp 10 cannot reach the locked state (according to the visual indicators) despite proper installation, then it would be an indicator to the user that the clamp 10 should be serviced. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the clamp 10 is designed to be reused many times without service over its lifetime.

[0131] As shown in FIG. 7, in the locked state, the fastener 25 does not abut the end of the slot 23. Thus, in the locked state movement of the jamming member 16 is not limited by the slot 23. Instead, in the locked state the projecting rim 42 of the top hat nut 40 engages the end 27 of the receiving member adjacent to the nut 28 received in the square aperture 26 in the receiving member. This contact prevents further movement of the handle 11 along the shaft 15. Thus, the end 27 of the receiving member 18 acts as a stop member to limit movement of the handle 11 and limit the clamping force applied to the safety line.

[0132] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, in the locked state there is a gap or spacing between the top 14′ (or engagement surface) of the chassis 14 and the rim 42 of the top hat nut 40. This gap allows the chassis 14 to move with the jamming member 16 into the second locked state (in FIGS. 6 and 7).

[0133] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the locked state (shown in FIGS. 6 and 7) is the normal operating state of the clamp 10. As described above, the configuration of the handle housing 12, top hat nut 40 and the chassis 14 prevents the clamp 10 from being overtightened in the locked state, thereby reducing damage or wear to the clamp and/or safety line. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, when a force is applied to the safety line 50 which is secured in the clamp 10 in the locked state, such as in a fall arrest event, this causes the clamp 10 to self-tighten to the second locked state (see FIGS. 8 and 9). In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the force or load applied to the safety line 50 looped around the jamming member 16 pulls the jamming member 16 and consequently the chassis 14 connected thereto in the direction shown by arrow B relative to the receiving member 18. This results in movement of the jamming member 16 closer to the clamping surface 19, thereby increasing the clamping force applied to the safety line 50.

[0134] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, there is no movement of the handle 11 between the locked state and the second locked state (e.g., between FIG. 6 and FIG. 8). Thus, the chassis 14 and the chassis housing 30 move relative to the handle 11, including housing 12 and top hat nut 40, in direction B. There is no gap between the top 14′ of the chassis and the rim 42 of the top hat nut in the second locked state. This motion of the chassis 14 and chassis housing 30 causes the first indicator 31 to at least partially project beyond the handle housing 12 in the second locked state. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, a further indicator that the clamp 10 is in the second locked state is that an additional portion 16b of the jamming member 16 projects from an end of the receiving member 18. This portion 16b may be referred to as a third indicator.

[0135] In FIGS. 1-9, the jamming member 16 is a wedge having an apex 16b opposite a curved end. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the chassis 14 and handle 11 are disposed adjacent the curved end of the wedge. However, it will be appreciated that the clamp structure could be reversed, such that the chassis 14 and handle 11 are disposed on the other side of the wedge adjacent to the apex 16b. In this non-limiting embodiment or aspect, the chassis 14 would push the wedge 16 into the unlocked state (in direction A) and pull the wedge 16 into the locked state (in direction B). As such, a push force described above may become a pull force. It is intended that both non-limiting embodiments or aspects are within the scope of the claimed disclosure.

[0136] In this alternative non-limiting embodiment or aspect, the second indicator 20, 21 may be visible in the locked state, but not visible in the unlocked state or the second locked state. Similarly, it may be that if the first indicator 31 is visible this means that the clamp 10 can self-tighten when a load is applied to the safety line. Thus, the first indicator 31 may only be visible in the locked state. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the clamp 10 shown in FIGS. 1-9 may be used in a horizontal safety line system 100, as shown schematically in FIG. 10. It will be appreciated that FIG. 10 is not shown to scale and is for illustrative purposes only. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the horizontal safety line system 100 includes a safety line 50, preferably a metal cable. A first end 50a of the safety line 50 may be attached via a connector, such as a karabiner clip, to an anchor point 101. A second end 50b of the safety line 50 is received in the clamp 10.

[0137] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, a stop member 52 is attached to the second end of the safety line 50b after the safety line 50 has been inserted into the clamp 10. The stop member 52 is configured to prevent the safety line 50 being removed from the clamp 10, as the stop member 52 cannot pass through. Thus, the stop member is a safety feature that prevents the safety line 50 from accidentally being disengaged from the clamp 10. With continued reference to FIG. 10, the clamp 10 is in the locked state. The shaft 15 of the clamp 10 may be connected to via a karabiner or other connector to a second anchor point 102. Thus, the safety line 50 is held under tension without the need to cut the safety line 50 to the desired length between the anchor points 101, 102. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, a plurality of travellers 103 are mounted to the safety line 50. A user may connect their personal safety line to one of the travellers 103 to securely move along the safety line 50. If one of the users falls, then the force applied to the traveller 103 will move the clamp 10 into the second locked state, thereby ensuring that the safety line 50 remains under tension.

[0138] It will be appreciated that the present disclosure is not limited to use in horizontal safety line systems.

[0139] The non-limiting embodiments or aspects of the present disclosure have been described in detail herein. However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to the embodiments or aspects may be made without departing from the concepts disclosed in the foregoing description. Such modifications are to be considered as included within the following claims unless the claims, by their language, expressly state otherwise. Accordingly, the particular embodiments or aspects described in detail hereinabove are illustrative only and are not limiting as to the scope of the disclosure, which is to be given the full breadth of the appended claims and any and all equivalents thereof.