TECHNICAL FIELD
This document relates to various pulley apparatuses and, more particularly, to pulley apparatuses that can be used in block-and-tackle configurations (as well as the associated configurations, methods, kits, etc.).
BACKGROUND
There are many situations in which relatively heavy objects must be lifted and/or suspended (and/or lowered under control). For example, hunters must often suspend heavy animals (e.g., from a tree) for cleaning purposes; furniture and other heavy objects must be loaded onto trucks; trunks/crates must be moved to attics or garage lofts; portions of smaller vehicles (e.g., ATVs) must be lifted for purposes of changing a tire or pulled out of a stuck situation; and so on. In many instances, even a strong individual is unable to lift the objects in the desired manner.
The same can hold true when someone wants to introduce an optimum amount of tension in a line of some sort. For example, during the construction of a barbed-wire fence, the wire must be pulled tight to create a viable fence. Pulling the wire tight can be difficult or impossible for even a strong individual.
One mechanism that can aid in lifting such objects and/or pulling such objects tightly is a block-and-tackle configuration. Block-and-tackles involve arranging one or more pulleys in relation to a fixed object and feeding rope through the pulleys in such a way as to create a mechanical advantage. In this way, by pulling the rope over a longer distance, a greater lifting force can be achieved.
In many instances, configuring a block-and-tackle can present difficulties. Feeding the rope through the pulley(s) and/or attaching the load to the block-and-tackle can pose challenges that limit the usefulness and/or applicability of block-and-tackles.
SUMMARY
Embodiments of the present invention provide pulley apparatuses that can be easily incorporated into block-and-tackle configurations. In some embodiments, the pulley can be fixed via its hook and/or via its aperture. In some embodiments, a rope can be easily dropped into place and removed, rather than having to be threaded in. For example, the pulley housing can include a rope channeling structure near the end opposite the aperture, and the rope channeling structure can facilitate introducing the rope into engagement with the wheel and/or removing the rope from engagement with the wheel. In some embodiments, the rope channeling structure can prevent the rope from inadvertently becoming removed from the pulley. In some embodiments, the pulley can be hung by the aperture, the hook, or both. In some embodiments, the hook can be weighted such that it always hangs down (unless otherwise acted upon). In some embodiments, the hook can be oriented at various angles relative to the aperture (e.g., 180 degrees, 90 degrees, etc.). In some embodiments, the wheel's axle and the hook can be integrally formed of the same material. Some such embodiments can result in increased strength, improved performance, and/or reduced manufacturing costs.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The following drawings are illustrative of particular embodiments of the present invention and therefore do not limit the scope of the invention. The drawings are not to scale (unless so stated) and are intended for use in conjunction with the explanations in the following detailed description. Embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like numerals denote like elements.
FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a pulley apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the pulley apparatus of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a side view of the pulley apparatus of FIG. 1.
FIGS. 4A-4D are isometric views of a pulley apparatus like that of FIGS. 1-3 in connection with a rope.
FIG. 5 is a front view of the pulley apparatus of FIG. 1, with the hook assembly being rotated relative to the support structure.
FIGS. 6A-6B are an isometric view and a side view, respectively, of a pulley apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a top view of a block-and-tackle kit according to embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is an exploded view of a tie-down tensioning device that can be implemented in embodiments of the present invention.
FIGS. 9A-9C illustrate a method of creating a block-and-tackle according to embodiments of the present invention.
FIGS. 10A-10C illustrate a method of creating a block-and-tackle according to embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is an isometric view of a block-and-tackle according to embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is an isometric view of a block-and-tackle according to embodiments of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The following detailed description is illustrative in nature and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the following description provides practical illustrations for implementing exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Examples of constructions, materials, dimensions, and manufacturing processes are provided for selected elements, and all other elements employ that which is known to those of ordinary skill in the field of the invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that many of the examples provided have suitable alternatives that can be utilized.
FIGS. 1-3 show a pulley apparatus 10 according to embodiments of the present invention. As shown, the pulley apparatus 10 includes a support structure 15, a hook assembly 20, a wheel 25. Some embodiments can include a clipping mechanism 26 for securing the support structure 15 with the hook assembly 20. In some embodiments, the pulley apparatus 10 can assist in raising and/or lowering objects by providing a mechanical advantage, as is discussed in greater detail elsewhere herein. The pulley apparatus 10 of FIG. 1 comprises only four parts, which can significantly simplify the manufacturing process and provide for a more consistent final product.
The support structure 15 of the pulley apparatus 10 can support the other components of the pulley apparatus 10. In some embodiments, the support structure 15 can include first and second opposed end sections 32, 34, along with first and second opposed side members 27, 30 extending between the first and second end sections 32, 34. In many embodiments, the first and second opposed side members 27, 30 include substantially solid panels. In some embodiments, all of the support structure 15 is integrally formed of the same material. In such embodiments, the support structure 15 can be a strip of sheet metal bent into a desired shape. In many embodiments, the first end section 32 of the support structure defines an aperture 36. In many embodiments, the portion of the first end section 32 that defines the aperture 36 is generally parallel to the first and second opposed side members 27, 30. In some embodiments, the portion of the first end section 32 that defines the aperture 36 is generally perpendicular to the first and second opposed side members 27, 30 (e.g., with the first end section 32 being twisted go degrees). As is discussed in greater detail elsewhere herein, in some embodiments, the support structure 15 can include a hook assembly anchor 38.
FIGS. 4A-4D show a pulley apparatus 410 like that of FIGS. 1-3 in connection with a length of rope 412 to illustrate how the rope 412 can be inserted into the pulley apparatus 410. The pulley apparatus 410 has a support structure 415, which has a second end section 434. As shown, in certain preferred embodiments, the second end section 434 can include a rope channeling structure 440. The rope channeling structure 440 can assist in inserting rope 412 into the pulley apparatus 410, as well as inhibiting rope 412 already inserted from being accidentally removed from the pulley apparatus 410. The rope channeling structure 440 can include a first segment 442 extending from the first side member 427 and a second segment 444 extending from the second side member 430. The first and second segments 442, 444 can together define an entrance portion, an exit portion, and a narrower restrictor portion. FIG. 3 shows the entrance portion 316, the restrictor portion 317, and the exit portion 318 defined by the pulley apparatus 10 of FIGS. 1-3. Referring to FIGS. 4A-4D, in some embodiments, the first and second segments 442, 444 of the rope channeling structure 434 curve toward one another from the respective side members 427, 430 in defining the exit portion and curve back away from one another in defining the entrance portion. In some such embodiments, the restrictor portion can include a location at which the first segment 442 is nearest the second segment 444.
As noted, FIGS. 4A-4D illustrate how a length of rope 412 can be inserted into the pulley apparatus 410. FIG. 4B shows how the entrance portion can be configured to channel the rope 412 toward the restrictor portion upon entrance into the pulley apparatus 410. The restrictor portion can be configured to inhibit rope channeled to it from passing therethrough. In some embodiments, the support structure 415 is configured to hingedly flex, with the first support structure end section 432 serving as a hinge and the first and second segments 442, 444 being configured to be pressed apart. In some such embodiments, the rope 412 can press the first and second segments 442, 444 apart to pass through the restrictor portion. As shown in FIGS. 4C-4D, the rope 412 can engage the wheel 425 and be moved into an operational position.
To remove the rope 412 from the pulley apparatus 412, the process previously discussed can be reversed. The rope 412 can be removed from the operational position and disengaged from the wheel 425. The exit portion can be configured to channel the rope 412 toward the restrictor portion upon exit from the pulley apparatus 412. The rope 412 can be pulled through the restrictor portion, thereby removing the rope 412 from the pulley apparatus 412. The restrictor portion can inhibit the rope 412 from being accidentally removed from the pulley apparatus 412, which can be beneficial during setup and/or operation of the pulley apparatus 412. In many embodiments, an operator must intentionally pull the rope 412 through the restrictor portion in order to remove the rope 412 from the pulley apparatus 412.
Referring again to FIGS. 1-3, in some embodiments, the pulley apparatus 10 can include a hook assembly 20 coupled to the support structure 15. The hook assembly 20 can be configured to hang the pulley apparatus 10 from an object (e.g., a tie-down tensioning device, as is discussed elsewhere herein) and/or to hang an object (e.g., some type of weight) from the pulley apparatus 10. The hook assembly 20 can include a hook 50 configured to hook the pulley apparatus 10 to the object and/or to hook the object to the pulley apparatus 10. The hook assembly 20 can include a wheel axle 55 extending between the first and second opposed side members 27, 30 of the support structure 15. The hook assembly 20 can include a shaft 60 connected on one end to the pulley hook 50 and on an opposed end to the wheel axle 55. In some embodiments, all of the hook assembly 20 is integrally formed of the same material (e.g., by bending a metal rod into a desired shape). In many embodiments, the hook 50 of the hook assembly 20 is positioned opposite the first end section 32 of the support structure 15.
Referring now to FIG. 5, in some embodiments, the hook assembly is rotatable relative to the support structure 15 about the axis (61 in FIG. 2) defined by the wheel axle (55 in FIGS. 2-3). The hook assembly 20 can be released from the hook assembly anchor 38 of the support structure 15 and rotated to any desired position. In many instances, this rotatability can make assembly of the pulley apparatus 10 significantly easier, with one step being inserting the wheel axle 55 into the first side member 27, into the central bore 63 of the wheel (discussed further elsewhere herein), and out of the second side member 30, another step being securing the wheel axle 55 (e.g., with clipping mechanism 26) to prevent the hook assembly 20 from disengaging, and a third step being rotating the hook assembly 20 to engage the hook assembly anchor 38. Assembly in this manner can be considerably easier in terms of alignment of the various components. If the desired position of the hook assembly 20 is 180 degrees opposite from the support structure aperture 36 (which is often the case), the hook assembly 20 can engage the hook assembly anchor 38, according to some preferred embodiments. The hook assembly anchor 38 (which is often part of the first segment 42 of the rope channeling structure 34) of the support structure 15 is configured to align the hook 50 of the hook assembly 20 opposite the aperture 36 of the support structure 15.
Referring again to FIGS. 1-3, the pulley apparatus 10 can include a wheel 25, which can be positioned between the first and second opposed side members 27, 30 of the support structure 15. The wheel 25 can be configured to rotate about the axis 61 defined by the wheel axle 55 of the hook assembly 20. The wheel can include a central bore 63 interfacing with the wheel axle 55 of the hook assembly 20. The wheel 25 can include a groove 64 extending around a circumference of the wheel 25 and being configured to receive rope (as is shown in FIGS. 4A-4B).
FIGS. 6A-6B show a pulley apparatus 610 according to embodiments of the present invention. In many ways, the pulley apparatus 610 of FIGS. 6A-6B is similar to the pulley apparatus 10 of FIGS. 1-3 and the pulley apparatus 410 of FIGS. 4A-4D. Referring again to FIGS. 6A-6B, the pulley apparatus 610 can include a support structure 615 (such as those discussed elsewhere herein), a hook assembly 620 (such as those discussed elsewhere herein), and two wheels 624, 625 (such as those discussed elsewhere herein). As shown, both wheels 624, 625 are positioned between the first and second opposed side members 627, 630 of the support structure 615. Both wheels 624, 625 can be configured to rotate about the axis 661 defined by the wheel axle 655 of the hook assembly 620. In many embodiments, both wheels 624, 625 include a central bore that interfaces with the wheel axle 655 of the hook assembly 620. In many embodiments, both wheels 624, 625 include a groove 664, 665 extending around a circumference of the wheel 624, 625 and being configured to receive rope. Although two wheels 624, 625 are shown, pulley apparatuses according to embodiments of the present invention can include one wheel, two wheels, three wheels, four wheels, or any suitable number of wheels, depending on the particular application.
FIG. 7 shows a block-and-tackle kit according to embodiments of the present invention. The kit can include a length of rope 712, one or more pulley apparatuses 710 (such as those discussed elsewhere herein), a tie-down tensioning device 713, and a tie-down hook 714. As is discussed in greater detail elsewhere herein, the tie-down hook 714 can be adapted to hook into a second tie-down aperture 716. In some embodiments, the kit can include instructions for creating a block-and-tackle out of the rope 712, the pulley apparatus(es) 710, the tie-down tensioning device 713, and the tie-down hook 714, according to methods discussed elsewhere herein and/or other suitable methods. Although one pulley apparatus is shown, block-and-tackle kits according to embodiments of the present invention can include one pulley apparatus, two pulley apparatuses, three pulley apparatuses, four pulley apparatuses, or any suitable number of pulley apparatuses, depending on the particular application.
FIG. 8 shows an illustrative tie-down tensioning device 813 (split open to expose the interior) that can be used in block-and-tackles according to embodiments of the present invention. In many embodiments, the tie-down tensioning device 813 can include a housing 809. The housing 809 can include first and second housing end sections 871, 872. The first housing end section 871 can define a first tie-down aperture 817. In many embodiments, the pulley apparatus's pulley hook (50 of FIGS. 1-3) can be configured to hook into the first tie-down aperture 817. The second opposed housing end section 872 can define a second tie-down aperture 816. In some embodiments, the housing 809 can include both a rope inlet 873 and a rope outlet 874 in the first housing end section 871. In many embodiments, the housing 809 can include a rope path 876 from the rope inlet 873 to the rope outlet 874. In some such embodiments, the rope path 876 can pass through the second housing end section 872 around the second tie-down aperture 816 and/or through a clam cleat 877. Tie-down tensioning devices such as those discussed herein are described in greater detail in U.S. Pat. No. 7,428,769 (titled “Tie Down Tensioning Device” and assigned to Tie Boss LLC, the owner of the present invention), which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
FIGS. 9A-9C and 10A-10C show methods of creating a block-and-tackle according to embodiments of the present invention. A block-and-tackle can provide a mechanical advantage in lifting and/or lowering objects with a rope. An object can be lifted and/or lowered via the exertion of a force that is less than the weight of the object, provided that the force is applied over a longer distance. In many embodiments of the present invention, an object can be lifted (and/or lowered) by pulling a longer length of rope than would ordinarily be required with a force that is less than the weight of the object. Some methods of creating a block-and-tackle involve providing one or more pulley apparatuses (such as those discussed elsewhere herein) and a tie-down tensioning device (such as those discussed elsewhere herein).
In some embodiments, methods of creating a block-and-tackle can include feeding a leading end 951 of a rope 912 through the tie-down tensioning device 913. As is discussed elsewhere herein, in many embodiments, feeding a leading end 951 of a rope 912 through the tie-down tensioning device 913 involves feeding the leading end of the rope into the rope inlet, along the rope path, and out through the rope outlet. Most methods of creating a block-and-tackle further include fixing the tie-down tensioning device 913 to a stationary object (e.g., via tie-down hook 914). The tie-down tensioning device 913 (including the clam cleat—877 in FIG. 8) can aid in the pulling of the rope by inhibiting slippage.
Many methods of creating a block-and-tackle according to embodiments of the present invention involve introducing an intermediate portion 953 of a trailing end 952 of the rope 912 to a first pulley apparatus 910. As is discussed elsewhere herein, in many embodiments, introducing the intermediate portion 953 of the trailing end 952 of the rope 912 to the first pulley apparatus 910 involves contacting the entrance portion of the rope channeling structure with the rope, pressing the rope past the restrictor portion of the rope channeling structure, and positioning the rope in the first-wheel groove (see FIGS. 3, 4A-4D and corresponding discussion for additional detail).
In many embodiments, methods of creating a block-and-tackle can include securing an end portion 954 of the trailing end 952 of the rope 912. The end portion 954 of the trailing end 952 of the rope 912 can be affixed to a rope hook 990. FIG. 9C shows how the end portion 954 of the trailing end 952 of the rope 912 can be secured by hooking the rope hook 990 into the first tie-down aperture 917 of the tie-down tensioning device 913. With the end portion 954 of the trailing end 952 of the rope 912 being secured in the embodiment of FIG. 9C, an object to be lifted can be coupled to the first pulley apparatus 910 (e.g., it can be hooked onto the hook 950 or the first pulley apparatus 910 can be oriented with the hook 950 pointed up (or rotated relative to the support structure) and the object can be hooked into the pulley aperture 936). The leading end 951 of the rope 912 can be pulled, which can cause the first pulley apparatus 910, and the attached object, to move upwardly. Pulling the rope 912 a distance of x will cause the object to move upwardly by a distance of roughly x/2. If the object weighs y pounds, the rope 912 must be pulled with a force of y/2 pounds in order to lift the object.
The method of creating a block-and-tackle illustrated in FIGS. 10A-10C involves multiple pulley apparatuses 910, 911. As shown, the method can include hooking the pulley hook 949 of a second pulley apparatus 911 into the first tie-down aperture 917 of the tie-down tensioning device 913. In this way, the pulley apparatuses 910, 911 can be oriented oppositely of one another in an operational block-and-tackle. After introducing the intermediate portion 953 of the trailing end 952 of the rope 912 to the first pulley apparatus 910 (see discussion elsewhere herein), a portion of the trailing end 952 of the rope 912 that is between the intermediate portion 953 and the end portion 954 can be introduced to the second pulley apparatus 911. For example, as is discussed elsewhere herein, such introduction can involve contacting the entrance portion of the rope channeling structure with the rope, pressing the rope past the restrictor portion of the rope channeling structure, and positioning the rope in the groove (see FIGS. 3, 4A-4D and corresponding discussion for additional detail).
As noted, methods of creating a block-and-tackle can include securing an end portion 954 of the trailing end 952 of the rope 912. FIG. 10C shows how the end portion 954 of the trailing end 952 of the rope 912 can be secured by hooking the rope hook 990 into the pulley aperture 936 of the first pulley apparatus 910. In some embodiments, the first pulley apparatus 910 can be weighted such that its pulley hook 950 naturally hangs downwardly and its pulley aperture 936 is oriented upwardly, thereby aiding in hooking the rope hook 990 into the pulley aperture 936 of the first pulley apparatus 910. With the end portion 954 of the trailing end 952 of the rope 912 being secured in the embodiment of FIG. 10C, an object to be lifted can be coupled to the first pulley apparatus 910 (e.g., it can be hooked onto the hook 950). The leading end 951 of the rope 912 can be pulled, which can cause the first pulley apparatus 910, and the attached object, to move upwardly. Pulling the rope 912 a distance of x will cause the object to move upwardly by a distance of roughly x/3. If the object weighs y pounds, the rope 912 must be pulled with a force of y/3 pounds in order to lift the object.
As shown in FIG. 11, the first pulley apparatus 1110 can include a second wheel (like the two-wheel pulley discussed in connection with FIGS. 6A-6B). After the rope 912 has been introduced to the first pulley apparatus 1110 and then the second pulley apparatus 911 (as is discussed elsewhere herein), the rope 912 can be re-introduced to the first pulley apparatus 1110. Specifically, a portion of the trailing end of the rope 912 that is between the portion that was introduced to the second pulley apparatus 911 and the end portion 954 can be re-introduced to the first pulley apparatus 1110. The rope 912 can be positioned into contact with the entrance portion of the rope channeling structure, and then pressed past the restrictor portion of the rope channeling structure, and then positioned in the second-wheel groove of the first pulley apparatus 1110. In such a block-and-tackle configuration, the rope hook 990 affixed to the end portion 954 of the trailing end of the rope 912 can be hooked into the pulley aperture 1137 of the second pulley apparatus 911 to secure the end portion 954 of the trailing end of the rope 912. The leading end of the rope 912 can be pulled, which can cause the first pulley apparatus 1110, and an object attached thereto, to move upwardly. Pulling the rope 912 a distance of x will cause the object to move upwardly by a distance of roughly x/4. If the object weighs y pounds, the rope 912 must be pulled with a force of y/4 pounds in order to lift the object.
As shown in FIG. 12, the second pulley apparatus 1211 can likewise include a second wheel 1296 (like the two-wheel pulley discussed in connection with FIGS. 6A-6B). After the rope 912 has been introduced to the first pulley apparatus 1110 and then the second pulley apparatus 1211 and then re-introduced to the first pulley apparatus 1110 (as are discussed elsewhere herein), the rope 912 can be re-introduced to the second pulley apparatus 1211. Specifically, a portion of the trailing end of the rope 912 that is between the portion that was re-introduced to the first pulley apparatus 1110 and the end portion 954 can be re-introduced to the second pulley apparatus 1211. The rope 912 can be positioned into contact with the entrance portion of the rope channeling structure, and then pressed past the restrictor portion of the rope channeling structure, and then positioned in the second-wheel groove of the second pulley apparatus 1211. In such a block-and-tackle configuration, the rope hook 990 affixed to the end portion 954 of the trailing end of the rope 912 can be hooked into the pulley aperture of the first pulley apparatus 1110 to secure the end portion 954 of the trailing end of the rope 912. The leading end of the rope 912 can be pulled, which can cause the first pulley apparatus 1110, and an object attached thereto, to move upwardly. Pulling the rope 912 a distance of x will cause the object to move upwardly by a distance of roughly x/5. If the object weighs y pounds, the rope 912 must be pulled with a force of y/5 pounds in order to lift the object.
Certain block-and-tackle configurations are provided in the drawings, but embodiments of the present invention can include block-and-tackle configurations that are not shown. For example, block-and-tackle configurations according to embodiments of the present invention can include one, two, three, four, or more pulley apparatuses. Pulley apparatuses used in block-and-tackle configurations according to embodiments of the present invention can include one, two, three, four, or more wheels. In some embodiments, all of the pulley apparatuses used in block-and-tackle configurations have the same number of wheels. In some embodiments, one or more of the pulley apparatuses used in a block-and-tackle configuration have a different number of wheels than one or more of the other pulley apparatuses used in the block-and-tackle configuration. The number of pulley apparatuses and the number of wheels per pulley apparatus often depends on factors such as the amount of force a user is likely able/willing to exert, an optimum length of rope to be used, the desired simplicity/complexity of the block-and-tackle configuration, and so on.
In the foregoing detailed description, the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, it may be appreciated that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. Thus, some of the features of preferred embodiments described herein are not necessarily included in preferred embodiments of the invention which are intended for alternative uses.
Patent Application
20100032632
