Steel wire rope terminal adjuster and method of using same

Abstract

This invention relates to a wire rope adjusting terminal comprising a working device designed for mounting on a wire rope to form one of its two attachment ends, using a system for adjusting the length of the rope and subsequently locking the rope. This system comprises a fixing member having an internal recess in which a cam can rotate until a groove is formed through which the wire rope can slide when moving without load. When the rope is under load, the cam's locking mechanism on the fixing member is activated for use as a mooring or lifting system until the system is unlocked in a fully reversible manner without damaging the rope in any way.

Description

[0001] Purpose of the invention

[0002] The main objective of this invention is to provide a working device consisting of a reusable apparatus designed to be mounted on a wire rope to form one of two fixed ends by means of a length adjustment and locking system until it is unlocked in a fully reversible manner. This device can be used as a mooring system or a lifting system without damaging the wire rope in any way.

[0003] The invention is applicable to the manufacturing industry of mooring systems and / or lifting system components, and is particularly suitable for modification sites for industries such as entertainment commercial performances or exhibitions, as well as general industry. Background of the Invention

[0005] In all cities and most towns in our country, it is common to set up stages for concerts, plays or other performances, especially in the summer or when the weather is good and during holidays.

[0006] To complete the stage construction, professionals install high-altitude load-bearing support devices or "rigging" to assemble components commonly used in exhibitions, trade fairs, and performances, securing steel wire ropes supported by two points at two anchors at both ends.

[0007] Even in exhibition halls in major Spanish cities like Madrid and Barcelona, ​​specific documents stipulate the requirements that the supporting components of the exhibition hall structure must meet. The purpose is to ensure the safety of personnel and facilities during the assembly and disassembly phases, as well as during any celebrations, within the completed structure.

[0008] From a technical perspective, there are many wire rope fixing points or anchoring systems on the market, which are commonly referred to as wire rope terminals.

[0009] Therefore, a "wedge mooring" terminal made of forged steel with a hot-dip galvanized finish was used, suitable for wire ropes with diameters from 7 mm to 86 mm and breaking loads from 8 tons to 650 tons. While wedge mooring is a widely used component, it should be noted that it results in a 20% reduction in the wire rope's breaking load.

[0010] Conical terminals, made of forged steel and hot-dip galvanized finish, are also used. Different models are available, depending on whether they are open or closed, suitable for wire ropes with diameters from 6 mm to 115 mm and breaking loads from 8 tons to 1200 tons. The conical terminals are mounted on the cable using zinc alloy or locking resin. These terminals guarantee 100% breaking load capacity of the wire rope.

[0011] Finally, regarding the "PERA terminals and NEMAG connectors" manufactured by the aforementioned Dutch company, these can be used to splice wire ropes and then pass them through pulleys. Their application is in port handling departments. Similar to the aforementioned "tapered terminals," PERA terminals and NEMAG connectors are mounted on the wire rope using zinc alloy or locking resin to ensure 100% breaking load capacity.

[0012] Similarly, the invention technologies identified by publication number and name are as follows;

[0013] ·ES2721261T3, wire rope and synthetic rope end ring shackles or hook installation accessories.

[0014] ·ES8308800A1, for fixing and / or longitudinally moving elongated elements, particularly for fixing and / or longitudinally moving wire ropes or rods.

[0015] ·ES2627511R1 is used for suspending and securing goods on wire ropes.

[0016] ·ES2069171T3, Emergency connector for steel wire rope conveyor belt.

[0017] However, the solutions currently evaluated lack both the physical structure and functional features to secure the wire rope, allowing for fully reversible length adjustment. In other words, they either disallow wire rope adjustment or limit adjustment to installation time, without allowing for adjustments in case the wire rope is bent or damaged during initial installation.

[0018] In such cases, corrections or subsequent readjustments may be necessary.

[0019] However, technically, a "wire rope end adjuster" is an accessory that adjusts the wire rope anchor point through an asymmetrical configuration of components. By aligning the anchor point with the load direction, it helps to retain the wire rope, allowing it to be locked or fixed, for example, by lengthening or shortening the wire rope. This allows for easy, quick, safe, and unrestricted use of the wire rope as needed multiple times without damage or deformation each time it is used. Summary of the Invention

[0020] As an example of explaining the invention, the subject matter of the invention, the "wire rope end adjuster," is designed for installation on wire ropes commonly used in mooring and lifting systems to form an anchor point in two anchorage points that form a fixed end, based on the combination of the following elements:

[0021] 1. A fixed main metal housing, the thickness of which is sufficient to accommodate the wire rope inside, with a hole provided at the upper side of the housing to secure the housing to a shackle located on the load-bearing shaft, and the housing is equipped with an internal channel in which the wire rope with a diameter of 8 mm to 10 mm can slide, so that the wire rope can be constructed into a crown shape inside when it enters from the open base.

[0022] 2. An inner cam, slotted on its outer circumference and designed to rotate about an axis that connects the inner cam to the aforementioned housing at a small interval, determined by the two extremes of the cam's movement, thereby adjusting the maximum allowable load of the assembly. The cam protrudes from the housing through an open base, so that the wire rope, with a diameter of 8 mm to 10 mm, is crowned internally when manually driven between two grooves that enter through two holes located at the bottom of the assembly. The axis formed between the hole fixed to the shackle and the hole on the same side of the assembly can bear the wire rope load.

[0023] 3. By fixing the corresponding fastening screws to the main metal housing, the assembly sealing cover is activated, which allows rotation of the cam body within the intended plane without posing a risk of locking up to the user.

[0024] 4. An additional locking system consisting of fastening screws inserted through existing holes in the main metal housing until they reach vertically into the wire rope channel, thereby securing the main metal housing to the cam, the wire rope channel being located near the component outlet on the side opposite to the load and within the cam plane.

[0025] According to the aforementioned component, once the wire rope is introduced into the slide rails of the two slotted surfaces, the length of the wire rope can be manually adjusted before locking. By moving both ends of the wire rope with both hands, it enters the channel of the component and moves inward within the plane of the cam. Without activating the cam movement, the wire rope can slide simultaneously through the inner guide tube.

[0026] Conversely, when a wire rope is used to bear the load between its two anchor ends, the wire rope will slip slightly inside the shell, thus dragging the inner cam until the wire rope is pressed tightly against the shell, preventing it from moving.

[0027] As described, when the device is unloaded, the length of the wire rope can be easily adjusted by adjusting the locking point inside the device. Then, for specific applications, after adjusting to the optimal wire rope length, the locking assembly locks the load, preventing the wire rope from moving. Finally, at this point, the additional locking system can be activated by introducing a corresponding fastening screw, which secures the wire rope to the cam. Attached Figure Description

[0028] To provide further explanation and facilitate a better understanding of the features of the present invention, a set of drawings is provided, which are part of this specification and are illustrative and non-limiting. The drawings are as follows:

[0029] Figure 1 This is an exploded front view of the "wire rope terminal adjuster".

[0030] Figure 2 The front view of the "wire rope end adjuster" after the wire rope is placed inside.

[0031] Figure 3 This is the front view of the "wire rope terminal adjuster" under load.

[0032] The following components are highlighted in the above diagram;

[0033] 1. Secure the main metal casing.

[0034] 2. Externally slotted internal cam

[0035] 3. Sealing cap

[0036] 4. Secure the sealing cap on the main metal casing with fastening screws.

[0037] 5. Fixing pins for the sealing caps on the housing and cam shaft.

[0038] 6. Fastening screws for the additional locking system.

[0039] Preferred specific implementation examples

[0040] Regarding examples of preferred specific implementations, the "wire rope end adjuster" can be implemented according to... Figures 1 to 3 As shown, this is achieved by a fixed main metal housing (1), which is designed to house the corresponding outer peripheral slotted inner cam (2) inside and is equipped with a corresponding sealing cover (3) after installation.

[0041] Both the main metal housing (1) and the aforementioned sealing cap (3) contain corresponding holes that match the closure of the assembly and can accommodate three screws (4) that pass through the main metal housing (1). There is also another, larger hole that matches the closure and can accommodate shackle bolts typically used for tensioning and / or lifting systems.

[0042] Finally, the components are sealed to ensure the movement of the cam (2) in the slot on the fixed main metal housing (1). After alignment, the sealing cover (3) is adjusted onto the above components, and the locking pin corresponding to the sealing cover of the fixed housing and the cam shaft (5) are inserted into the corresponding holes.

[0043] To provide further explanation, it is necessary to clarify as follows: Figure 2 The inner housing of the fixed main metal housing (1) shown is designed to house the outer peripheral slotted inner cam (2) inside it. The rotation range of the inner cam is small and is limited by the partial contact with the exposed portion of the housing through the open base. It combines with the internal channel of the fixed main metal housing (1) to form a conduit, in which a steel wire rope must be placed so that it can slide on the inner assembly in two ways.

[0044] 1. Without dragging the cam, the wire rope slides through the inner guide tube. By moving both ends of the wire rope with both hands, it enters the channel of the assembly and moves inward within the plane of the cam, allowing the wire rope to slide in the inner guide tube to adjust the length without load.

[0045] 2. The wire rope slides through the inner guide tube, dragging the cam (2) to the locking position of the component. When the wire rope is under load, the wire rope slides along the inner side of the fixed main metal housing (1) to the outer peripheral slot of the cam (2) until it contacts the housing (1) through the open base, thereby locking the wire rope in its path.

[0046] Finally, it should be emphasized that, under the maximum load allowed under safe conditions, the rotation range of the cam (2) inside the fixed main metal housing (1) limits the movement of the wire rope.

[0047] Regarding the operation method, the wire rope is introduced into the fixed main metal housing (1) for installation, and then the cam (2) and its exposed area are placed on the housing base while keeping the wire rope in the assembly conduit of the two parts. Finally, it is sealed with the cover (3) and the corresponding screws (4 and 5). The length of the wire rope can be manually adjusted when there is no load.

[0048] Next, after selecting the equipment location and the wire rope path when suspending the load, a small rotation will occur, which will lock the wire rope onto the fixed main metal shell (1), generating friction and preventing the wire rope from sliding inside the component.

[0049] Finally, after the load is in place, the additional locking system can be activated by introducing the fastening screw (6) of the additional locking system, which will remain on the surface opposite the load near the outlet hole once tightened with an Allen wrench.

[0050] There is no need to further supplement this description so that any expert in the field can understand the scope of the invention and its advantages in various applications, provided that the invention remains substantially unchanged, regardless of the materials used or the shape of the different components.

[0051] The location, type, and size of the screws used may vary. The terminology used in this instruction should be interpreted broadly.

[0052] Understanding is not restrictive.

Claims

1. A wire rope end conditioner designed for installation on mooring and / or lifting equipment. The system is characterized in that the anchoring point of the two anchoring points formed on the steel wire rope commonly used in the system to form the fixed end of the steel wire rope is formed by a steel wire rope, and the other anchoring point is formed by a steel wire rope, and the two anchoring points are connected by a steel wire rope. Combine the following components; A. A fixed main metal housing, the thickness of which is sufficient to accommodate the wire rope inside, a hole is provided at the upper end of the side of the housing to fix the housing to a shackle located on the load-bearing shaft, and the housing is equipped with an internal channel in which the wire rope with a diameter of 8 mm to 10 mm can slide, so that the wire rope can be constructed into a crown shape inside when it enters from the open base; B. An inner cam, the outer circumference of which is slotted and designed to be rotatable about an axis that connects the inner cam to the aforementioned housing at a small interval, the small interval being determined by the two extremes of the movement of the cam portion, the cam being exposed from the housing through the open base, so that the wire rope, with a diameter of 8 mm to 10 mm, is constructed in a crown shape inside when manually driven between two grooves that enter through two holes provided at the bottom of the assembly, wherein the bearing axis of the wire rope is located between the hole fixed on the shackle and the hole on the same side of the assembly; C. Component sealing cover, which is sealed using fastening screws corresponding to the fixed main metal housing; D. An additional locking system consisting of fastening screws inserted through existing holes in the main metal housing until they reach vertically into the wire rope channel, thereby securing the wire rope to the cam, the wire rope channel being located near the component outlet on the side opposite to the load and within the cam plane.

2. A method of using the wire rope end adjuster according to the preceding claims; A. Introduce the wire rope into the slide rail that forms two slotted surfaces, and then manually adjust the length of the wire rope before locking. Move both ends of the wire rope with both hands to make it enter the channel of the component and move it inward in the plane of the cam. Without activating the movement of the cam, the wire rope can slide through the inner guide tube at the same time. B. Loading the assembly, by dragging the inner cam, causing the wire rope to slide slightly inside the housing until the wire rope is in close contact with the housing and the wire rope cannot move; C. Activate the additional locking system and secure the wire rope to the cam on the side opposite to the load by introducing the corresponding fastening screw.

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