Patent Application
20130074756
This invention concerns a device for gripping and adjusting the tension of an elongated component, type cable, rope or similar.
More particularly, the present invention relates to a device for gripping and adjusting the tension of an elongated component using the same device as for gripping which applies a tractive force on the elongated component enabling it to be tightened, the tension on the elongated component also being adjustable to a certain extent while retaining its grip on this component.
There are many known devices for gripping used to handle cable, rope or similar components.
Gripping generally involves the use of jaws or a bit which closes on the elongated object. The use of at least one means for actuating the jaws or the bit, in particular at least one cylinder, is also known.
Therefore, such a gripping device according to the state-of-the-art is longitudinally traversed in its middle part by the elongated component and in general has in its length a rear body extended by a front tightening assembly acting transversely on the extended part of the device using jaws around at least part of the said component. These jaws are arranged inside the said front assembly while retaining their longitudinal mobility in the said front assembly under the action of at least one actuating means. The front assembly has at least one jaw guidance system closing the jaws and gripping the said component inside the said assembly, the distance between the jaws decreasing as they move towards the front in the said assembly.
For example, document GB-A-190928294 reveals a cable or rope blocking system using at least one cylinder, and an inclined plane bringing together or moving apart the two gripping parts, each one coasting with a cylinder.
The aim of the present invention is to simplify existing devices for gripping an elongated component while also enabling them to apply tension to the elongated component including the possibility of adjusting this tension.
A same device which grips an elongated component and applies tension to the said component while allowing this tension to be adjusted is neither described nor suggested by the state-of-the-art.
To achieve this aim, the invention proposes a device for gripping and adjusting the tension of an elongated component, the said device being penetrated longitudinally in its middle by the said elongated component and comprising lengthwise a rear body through which the said component is inserted, extended by a front tightening assembly, also used to allow the said component to emerge from the device and applying force transversally on the said elongated component by jaws enclosing, at least partially, the said component and arranged inside the said front assembly, the said jaws being longitudinally mobile inside the said front assembly under the force of at least one actuating means the said front assembly having at least a one-jaw guiding system moving the jaws closer together in order to grip the said component inside the said assembly, the distance between the jaws decreasing as they move towards the front, characterised in that the front tightening assembly is mobile relative to the rear body and includes at least one means for joining it to the jaws, such means becoming active after the said jaws are placed in a gripping position, movement of the said jaws also moving the said joined assembly which then applies a tractive force towards the front of the elongated component.
The technical effect obtained by the present invention is to enable, in particular using a same cylinder or using more than one cylinder in simultaneous and synchronized operation, two successive actions, that is to say gripping followed by adjustable tensioning of the elongated component. The device according to the present invention has the advantage of being much less complex than the combination of state-of-the-art devices performing gripping with a device for adjusting the tension of the component, in particular involving fewer cylinders. The device according to the present invention has therefore the advantage of enabling a single device to adjust the tension of an elongated object while retaining its grip, this without requiring any special control means for executing these two actions.
This is achieved by sliding the front tightening part relative to the rear body of the device in accordance with the invention, this sliding motion, after gripping a rope, a cable or a technical equivalent, being used to adjust its tension while retaining its grip. This is carried out by varying the tractive force applied to the said component.
Advantageously, the joining means consist of a stop arranged in the front part of the front assembly preventing forward movement of the jaws relative to the said assembly. In fact, the stop represents a simple embodiment of the joining means.
Advantageously, the stop takes the form of a stop plate arranged removably at the front part of the front tightening assembly. The removable nature and the shape of this retaining plate are advantageous in that they allow easy replacement of the plate in order to adapt it, if necessary, to the different forms of the jaws used or make good its wear.
Advantageously, the front tightening assembly includes two bases arranged symmetrically relative to its longitude axis, each one of the bases being associated with one jaw and at least one base plate with an internal wall forming a ramp so that one jaw can slide on it while being inclined towards the longitudinal axis of the front assembly in the direction of the said assembly, the said wall being part of the jaw guiding system. Thus, progressive gripping of the elongated component occurs. In the case of two bases, each one with an inclined wall, the gripping force is advantageously distributed uniformly around the elongated component.
Advantageously, the guiding system has sliding means and/or lateral retaining means in the form of a dovetail, a rail or a track coasting with bearing rollers or balls, a solid film or a lubricant. Indeed, it is desirable that there are good sliding conditions between the jaw and the corresponding base and if appropriate a limit on undesirable movements of the jaw laterally relative to the front tightening assembly.
Advantageously, return means are provided between each jaw and the rear part of the front tightening assembly, the first end of the return means coacting with the said rear part and the second end being joined on the jaws, the return means returning their associated jaw towards the rear and therefore in a position that releases the elongated component from the jaws. This constitutes simple, effective and economic means for returning the jaws to their start position.
Preferably, each jaw has at least one cavity receiving, at least partially, the return means, for example in the form of a helicoidal spring, this cavity extending roughly parallel to the inner wall of the associated base, the second end of the spring being joined to the bottom of the cavity, a retaining component being positioned inside the spring, one end of this retaining component being joined to the rear part of the front assembly in common with the first end of the spring. In this embodiment, the return force is roughly parallel to the inner wall of the associated base allowing the sliding motion of the jaw.
Advantageously, the actuating means consist in at least one cylinder, the cylinder body comprising the rear body of the device and the cylinder rod being connected to the rear part of at least one jaw. This creates a compact device with cylinder body incorporated in the rear body of the device, which also protects the cylinder.
Advantageously, the cylinder is a double-acting cylinder comprising a first chamber with a hydraulic liquid intake or discharge port, the intake of liquid into this chamber driving the rod out of the cylinder body and a second chamber with an intake or discharge port, the intake of fluid into this chamber driving retraction of the rod inside the cylinder body. This is a preferred embodiment of the invention which allows effective adjustment of the elongated component tension, either in the form of a tractive force applied on the component or relaxation of the tension of this component.
In a preferred arrangement, a coupling rod couples the cylinder rod and at least one jaw, this coupling rod being articulated respectively with the cylinder rod and the said jaws. This arrangement makes it possible to adapt the said coupling so that it follows the movement of the jaw(s) on the internal sloping wall of the associated base.
Preferably, a single cylinder actuates the jaws. This is an advantageous simplification of the device according to the invention using minimum means to move the jaws.
Advantageously, the device is intended to receive an elongated component such as a rope, cable or similar, each internal surface of the jaws opposite of this elongated component having an imprint adapted to the elongated component in order to coact with the said component when gripping it. The imprint adapts the internal surface of the jaws to the type of elongated component to be gripped and to adjust the tension.
The invention also concerns a support structure characterised in that it is equipped with such a device for gripping and adjusting the tension of an elongated component, the said device being fastened to the support structure by a base, the front tightening assembly of the said device having freedom to slide relative to the base in the longitudinal direction of the device, means for sliding and/or lateral retention being provided between the front assembly and the base. Thus, the rear body of the device is fixed to the support structure and the front assembly can only move in the longitudinal direction of the device due to its fixing to one degree of is freedom relative to the fixing base.
Advantageously, the support structure is a ship, the elongated element being a rope of an item of equipment present on the said ship.
Other characteristics, goals and advantages of this invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows and taking into consideration the appended drawings given as a non-restrictive example and on which:
By referring to
Without it being restrictive,
Several cylinders may also be used instead of a single cylinder.
Obviously, other types of cylinder can be used, for example a single-acting cylinder executing both the inward and outward actions, the cylinder rod comprising a spring to bring it back to a position inside the cylinder, this also being possible by other external means. A gas-operated cylinder with an end-of-travel force greater than that of the spring-type cylinder or a telescopic-rod cylinder to increase the range of tension adjustment transmitted to the elongated component E can also be used as will be seen hereafter. In an alternative arrangement, at least one electrically operated cylinder of the screw jack type driven by an electric motor may also be used.
Front mobile tightening assembly 101 for gripping and tension adjusting device D consists of two sliding bases 1 and 5 around but without contact with elongated component E. This front tightening assembly 101 is mobile relative to rear body 10 of device D in the lengthwise direction of device D. For example, in
As shown on
By reference to
In accordance with the present invention, device D performs gripping and tensioning of elongated element E consecutively. Device D makes it possible to change the tension of the component within a certain range without releasing its grip.
Gripping is carried out by jaws 3, positioning at least partially around elongated component E. Jaws 3 can also take the form of a single part in which case it takes the form of a bit. Advantageously, there are two jaws 3 that can be positioned symmetrically relative to the longitudinal axis of device D in order to act from opposite directions on elongated component E when it is tightened between said jaws 3 in order to uniformly distribute the gripping force around component E.
In
On the one hand, these jaws 3 are arranged between sliding bases 1 and 5 of this front assembly 101 in the inner space left vacant between said bases 1 and 5 of this assembly 101, each jaw 3 being positioned between one of bases 1 or 5 and the elongated component E positioned centrally to front tightening assembly 101. As shown in
As shown on
In an alternative arrangement, an inclined internal wall on one sliding base plate alone may be envisaged, an embodiment that is not shown on the figures. In this case, only one jaw is brought closer to the other jaw, or other jaws when there are more than two, during the movement towards the front of the jaws, this movement taking place when the said jaw slides on the inner wail of the associated base.
Thus, there may be at least three embodiments, the first with two jaws, the second with an inclined wall on one base and the third guiding on the side closing plates.
In addition, as shown on
As jaws 3 can be brought closer together or moved apart, it is an advantage that joining components 20 have freedom of movement transversally to device D. Advantageously, each joining component 20 may take the form of coupling rod articulated around a pivot, on the one hand on the front end of cylinder rod 15 and on the other on the rear part of corresponding jaw 3.
As to the cylinder, as previously stipulated, this is advantageously double acting and has a first chamber 18a or cylinder head side chamber with intake or discharge port referenced 10a so that, when hydraulic fluid is taken into chamber 18a, pressure is created on the head of cylinder rod 15 and starts rod 15 moving out in the direction of the front of device D. It is to be noted that the head side of cylinder rod 15 can also be called the bottom side.
Body 10 of the cylinder also has a second chamber 18b or cylinder rod side chamber with an intake or discharge port referenced 10b so that, when there is an intake of hydraulic fluid into this chamber 18b, pressure is created on the side opposite to the head of cylinder rod 15 as previously and starts retraction of rod 15 towards the rear of device D.
When cylinder rod 15 is driven out of cylinder body 10, it pushes on jaws 3 which slide towards the front of device D, and vice versa when rod 15 is retracted inside body 10.
For each jaw 3, return means at least, for instance a spring 16 returning said jaw 3 towards the rear of device D in the position shown in
Each spring 16 has a first end fixed to a point on the associated sliding base 1 or 5 on the rear part of front assembly 101, advantageously on rear stop plate 13, which in a preferred arrangement is removable from its associated base 1 or 5. The same applies advantageously to its associated retaining component 17. Rear stop plate 13 is on and at the rear of associated base 1 or 5, and forms the part opposite the front face of cylinder body 10 through which rod 15 emerges from the cylinder. The other end of each spring 16 is advantageously secured to the most forward part of corresponding retaining component 17.
Jaws 3 on
This position of device D corresponds is to a nil intake of hydraulic fluid through the intake port or discharge port 10a of rod head side chamber 18a of cylinder body 10, or results from the discharge of hydraulic fluid as symbolised by arrow Fe, a discharge that may be simultaneously combine with an intake of hydraulic fluid into chamber 18b of cylinder body 10 as shown by the arrow Fent. In this position in particular, elongated component E is free to move both towards the front or the rear of device D.
On
Part of spring retaining component 17 projects outside jaw 3 between the rear and rear stop plate 13 of corresponding base 1 or 5. This retaining component 17 then exerts a retaining force on the part of spring 16 emerging from associated jaw 3 by rendering the aforementioned part of spring 16 rigid.
This position of device D corresponds to an intake of hydraulic fluid through intake port or discharge port 10a of rod head side chamber 18a of cylinder body 10, as symbolised by arrow Fa. This intake of hydraulic fluid may be reinforced by a discharge of hydraulic fluid through intake or discharge port 10b of the other rod side chamber 18b of cylinder body 10, as shown by arrow Fevt.
In this position in particular, means for temporarily joining front tightening assembly 101 against front face 14 of body 10 of device D may be envisaged in order to prevent this mobile front assembly 101 from moving inadvertently towards the front, these means not being shown on the figures but able to be shown in the form of return springs. Thus, it is advantageous to envisage a safety system that avoids release of the elongated component by mistake.
As to
In this position, jaws 3 apply sufficient force to grip elongated component E. Jaws 3 can no longer move forward front tightening assembly 101 towards the front of device D as they are stopped by front stop plate 9 associated with each base 1 or 5, this plate 9 being preferably removable from its associated base 1 or 5. Front stop plate 9 can be fixed on its specific base 1 or 5 by removable fixing means 6, for example a screw penetrating a tapped band hole 11, common to sliding base 1 or 5 and said front stop plate 9. In an advantageous arrangement, the same front stop plate 9 can be common to the two bases 1 and 5, joining these two bases 1 and 5 together.
Such a stop plate 9 is only one of the possible means for joining front assembly 101 and jaws 3. Such a plate 9 can be replaced by any means for joining front assembly 101 with jaws 3, it being understood that the said means have to be active after positioning so as to ensure elongated component E is gripped by said jaws 3 as shown on
When a force is always exerted on cylinder rod 15 in order to push it towards the front of device D in the direction of arrows Fav, jaws 3 can no longer move towards the front of front assembly 101 as they are stopped by butting against front retaining plate 9. All mobile front assembly 101 of tightening device D is moved forwards by the actuating means, for example a double-acting cylinder as shown on
This tractive force on elongated component E tightens it. In this position, the cylinder, which is advantageously of the double-acting type, may be driven in one direction or another in order to adjust the tension applied to elongated component E without jaws 3 releasing their grip. This applies within a certain range of tension corresponding to the possible forward and backward movements of front tightening assembly 101, the movement of front tightening assembly 101 in the direction of tensioning the elongated component being limited by the length of rod 15 and the displacement of the assembly in the direction of tension relaxation is limited by front tightening assembly 101 butting against front face 14 of body 10 of the cylinder. As previously mentioned, the use of a telescopic cylinder rod can in certain cases prove to be useful, although this is not essential.
When a gripping and tension adjusting device D is fixed on a support structure, as shown on
Conversely, and not shown on the figures, when the device is not tied to a support structure, means may be provided for limiting the freedom of movement of the front assembly relative to the rear body of the device so that this movement only takes place longitudinally to the device. These means may take the form of at least one sliding bar, although preferably at least two bars will be used, on the rear part of the front tightening assembly and extending lengthwise towards its rear body, the said rear body comprising a housing adapted to the aforementioned bar in which the bar is able to slide with limited transversal play. Thus, the only authorised movement of the front assembly relative to the rear body is a movement of the device lengthwise.
It has to be borne in mind that this arrangement is not limiting and that other means for improving the sliding motion and/or guaranteeing limit on a lateral sliding motion can be applied, for example sliding on rails, balls, a slide plate or a solid film of lubricant, for example an appropriate plastic or liquid lubricant when a minimum seal between the various components has to be guaranteed.
A safety device may be used to prevent inadvertently releasing the elongated component when front tightening assembly 101 is in contact with the front face of the cylinder. Similarly, a safety device may be envisaged to prevent to front mobile tightening assembly 101 leaving the front face of the cylinder before jaws 3 butt against front stop plate 9.
The present invention can apply in all fields where it is necessary to grip an elongated component, whether metal or any other material, this component having a more or less large section to which tension is to be applied. For example it may be used with a winch, such as a hydraulic winch.
A particularly interesting but non-exclusive application of the device for gripping and adjusting the tension of an elongated component is its association with a ship forming the support structure, for example a sail boat. This device is then useful mainly as equipment for fastening, securing and adjusting running and standing rigging and other movements. In particular, it can be used to block and adjust the tension of halyards on jibs, foresails, or other sails, foresheet turning gear, main sails or any other sails by allowing accurate and forceful adjustment. Similarly, the device enables rapid and full release when required of foresheets, jibs, main sails, and any other type of sail. As a temporary fitting on all jibs, foresheets or other manoeuvres, it can be used to release a cleat, pulley or winch, while maintaining the sail correctly set by its halyard and/or foresheet. On standing rigging, for instance backstay volant, shroud flying, after taking up all the slack, the device allows powerful and precise end-of-travel adjustment.
Such a device can also be used on land, especially if required to attach, secure and adjust the tightness of a fabric or a sailcloth.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1054102 | May 2010 | FR | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2011/058527 | 5/25/2011 | WO | 00 | 11/27/2012 |
