A tool for manipulating or engaging with a wire rope clip installed on a wire rope

Abstract

A tool is provided for engaging with a wire rope clip installed on a wire rope such that the wire rope passes between a saddle of the wire rope clip and a U-bolt of the wire rope clip attached to the saddle by nuts. The tool includes a hub having a socket for receiving the U-bolt and a portion of the saddle of the wire rope clip, such that the nuts of the wire rope clip are accessible. The socket includes a wall having slots for allowing the wire rope to pass through the internal cavity when the wire rope clip is received in the internal cavity of the socket.

Description

A TOOL FOR MANIPULATING OR ENGAGING WITH A WIRE ROPE CLIP INSTALLED ON A WIRE ROPETechnical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to tools for manipulating or engaging wire rope clips used on wire ropes, and more particularly, to tools for installing, maintaining, repairing, or dismantling fastening elements installed on wire ropes (such as overhead lines).Summary

[0002] Securing wire rope clips to wire ropes can include lifting a worker to a height at which the wire rope is suspended above the ground. Improvements to tools are desired to improve a workers ability to install or uninstall wire rope clips on wire ropes. Improvements are also desired to combine functions of multiple tools into one tool and / or developing tools for specialized purposes to decrease work time and work effort to accomplish tasks related to securing wire rope clips to wire ropes.

[0003] The processes of construction, disassembly, maintenance, and / or replacement (also referred to as installing or uninstalling) of wire rope clips on wire ropes often includes tasks which could include less effort and work time with a specialized tool.

[0004] A wire rope clip (also referred to as a wire rope clamp) may be applied to a wire rope for a number of reasons. The wire rope clip includes a ll-bolt, a saddle, and (typically) two nuts for maintaining a position of the U-bolt to the saddle.Installing the clip on the overhead cable can be a relatively difficult task, particularly while a worker is elevated relatively high above a surface. Typically, workers use a traditional wrench to hold on to the wire rope clip while using a ratchet or another wrench to tighten the nuts. Using two tools in this manner makes it difficult to also maintain a position of the wire rope, especially when elevated in the air.

[0005] An aspect according to the present disclosure provides a tool for engaging with a wire rope clip installed on a wire rope such that the wire rope passes between a saddle of the wire rope clip and a U-bolt of the wire rope clip attached to the saddle by nuts. The tool includes a hub and a handle attached toand extending away from the hub. The hub includes a socket having an internal cavity shaped to receive the U-bolt of the wire rope clip, such that the nuts of the wire rope clip are accessible while the wire rope clip is received in the internal cavity of the socket. The socket includes a side wall and a bottom wall defining the internal cavity; the side wall includes a first slot and a second slot both configured to cooperate with the wire rope, such that the wire rope passes through the internal cavity via the first slot and the second slot when the wire rope clip is received in the internal cavity of the socket.

[0006] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a tool for engaging with a wire rope clip installed on a wire rope such that the wire rope passes between a saddle of the wire rope clip and a U-bolt of the wire rope clip attached to the saddle by nuts. The tool includes a hub and a handle attached to and extending away from the hub. The hub including a socket having an internal cavity shaped to receive the U-bolt of the wire rope clip, such that the nuts of the wire rope clip are accessible while the wire rope clip is received in the internal cavity of the socket. The socket includes a side wall and a bottom wall defining the internal cavity. The side wall includes a first slot and a second slot forming a first slot pair configured to cooperate to cooperate with the wire rope, such that the wire rope passes through the internal cavity via the first slot pair when the wire rope clip is received in the internal cavity of the socket at a first orientation. The side wall also includes a third slot and a fourth slot forming a second slot pair configured to cooperate to cooperate with the wire rope, such that the wire rope passes through the internal cavity via the second slot pair when the wire rope clip is received in the internal cavity of the socket at a second orientation different from the first orientation.

[0007] The following description and the annexed drawings set forth certain illustrative embodiments of the disclosure. These embodiments are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the disclosure may be employed. Other objects, advantages and novel features according to aspects of the disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008] The annexed drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, show various aspects of the tool and its use. FIGS. 8-14 present ornamental design aspects of the tool. Broken lines shown in FIGS. 8-14 include portions of the tool for illustrative purposes only and form no part of the claimed design.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary tool from a top side of the tool;

[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the tool of FIG. 1 from a bottom side of the tool;

[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another exemplary tool from a top side of the tool;

[0012] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the tool of FIG. 3 from a bottom side of the tool;

[0013] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the tool of FIG. 1 separated from a wire rope clip installed on a wire rope;

[0014] FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 5 showing the tool engaged with the wire rope clip;

[0015] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the tool of FIG. 3 separated from a wire rope clip installed on a wire rope;

[0016] FIG. 8 is a top, front left, perspective view of a TOOL FOR MANIPULATING OR ENGAGING WITH A WIRE ROPE CLIP INSTALLED ON A WIRE ROPE;

[0017] FIG. 9 is a front side view of FIG. 8;

[0018] FIG. 10 is a back side view of FIG. 8;

[0019] FIG. 11 is a left side view of FIG. 8;

[0020] FIG. 12 is a right side view of FIG. 8;

[0021] FIG. 13 is a top view of FIG. 8; and

[0022] FIG. 14 is a bottom view of FIG. 8.Detailed Description

[0023] While the described apparatus and methods can take many different forms, for the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of thedisclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended.

[0024] There are many uses for wire ropes and wire rope clips and can include any number of structures, configurations, constructions, etc., some of which may be described and / or illustrated with respect to FIGS. 1 to 7. In an example, wire cables can support structures for overhead power line towers and may be used in association with electric power transmission and / or distribution. One or more conductors may be suspended by a tower, pole, or the like. In other examples, crane, antenna, and sign structures can be supported or supported in part by wire ropes. Wire cables are not limited to overhead work but may also be used in wire guardrail and other ground level installations. These examples are not meant to be limiting, and the present disclosure of structures and methods can be used with any suitable application.

[0025] The present disclosure is directed to a tool for engaging with a wire rope clip installed on a wire rope such that the wire rope passes between a saddle of the wire rope clip and a ll-bolt of the wire rope clip attached to the saddle by nuts. The tool includes a hub having a socket for receiving the U-bolt and a portion of the saddle of the wire rope clip, such that the nuts of the wire rope clip are accessible. The socket includes a wall having slots for allowing the wire rope to pass through the internal cavity when the wire rope clip is received in the internal cavity of the socket.

[0026] Generally, the process of installing a steel wire, rope, steel strand or synthetic-fiber system is carried out to limit movement and provide supplemental support to various objects as described above. This process is often referred to as 'rigging,' 'cabling,' 'bracing,' or 'guying.' Standards and techniques for these support systems are defined by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). For the purposes of this disclosure, the term “wire rope” is intended to include, but not be limited to, steel wire, rope, steel strand, or synthetic-fiber systems.

[0027] Referring initially to FIG. 1 , 2, 5 and 6, an exemplary tool 100 is shown for engaging with a wire rope clip 500 installed on a wire rope 502 (also referred to as a cable). The tool 100 includes a hub 102 (which can be located at an end of the tool 100) and a handle 1 18 extending from the hub 102. The hub 102 includes a socket 103 having an internal cavity 1 16 shaped to receive the U-bolt 508 and a portion of the saddle 510 of the wire rope clip 500, such that the nuts 512 of the wire rope clip 500 are accessible while the wire rope clip 500 is received in the internal cavity 116 of the socket 103. The socket includes a side wall 1 13 and a bottom wall 1 14 defining the internal cavity 116.

[0028] Turning to FIG. 5, the side wall 113 includes a first slot 106 and a second slot 1 10 both configured to cooperate with the wire rope 502, such that the wire rope 502 passes through the internal cavity 1 16 via the first slot 106 and the second slot 1 10 when the wire rope clip 500 is received in the internal cavity 1 16 of the socket 103.

[0029] The side wall 1 13 may define a surface 134 that extends around the internal cavity 116 and that is shaped to engage with the wire rope clip 500 to limit a movement of the wire rope clip 500 relative to the socket 103 when the tool 100 is engaged with the wire rope clip 500. The noted movement can be any one of translation, rotation, or a combination of translation and rotation about multiple axes.

[0030] The first slot 106 and the second slot 110 may bisect the side wall 1 13, such that the sidewall 1 13 includes a first wall 104 separated from a second wall 108 by the first slot 106 and the second slot 1 10. In some examples, the first slot 106 and the second slot 110 are located opposite one another along the side wall 113 on a common centerline 1 12.

[0031] The side wall 1 13 and the bottom wall 1 14 may define the internal cavity 116. For example, the bottom wall 1 14 may extend between the first wall 104 and the second side 108. As is described above, the internal cavity 116 provides an opening to engage the wire rope clip 500.

[0032] The handle 1 18 may be attached to and extend away from the hub 102. In some examples, the handle 1 18 is generally straight (e.g., not curvilinear) andextends along a handle axis 120. In some examples, the handle axis 1 0 is parallel to the common centerline 112 of the first slot 106 and the second slot 1 10, although this is not required. In some examples, the handle axis 120 is coplanar to the common centerline 112 of the first slot 106 and the second slot 1 10. For the purposes of this disclosure, the coplanar relationship of the handle axis 120 relative to the common centerline 112 of the first slot 106 and the second slot 1 10 is on a vertical plane, the vertical plane being perpendicular to the bottom wall 114 of the tool 100.

[0033] The hub 102 and the handle 1 18 can be separate components joined at a portion of the manufacturing process or in the field. However, it may be beneficial to manufacture the hub 102 and the handle 118 as a unitary piece for several reasons, including limiting the number of tools that need to be lifted to the wire rope. The tool 100 can be manufactured of any suitable material that can withstand the expected stress and strain factors of expected use. In some examples, the tool 100 is a unitary steel forging. The tool 100 may have various sizes for interacting with different sizes of clips 502.

[0034] In some examples, the hub 102 includes a third wall 122 and a fourth wall 128. The third wall 122 may extend through the first slot 106 and between the first wall 104 and the second wall 108. Additionally, the fourth wall 128 may be opposite the third wall 122, and extend through the second slot 110 and between the first wall 104 and the second wall 108.

[0035] Referring to FIG. 2, a perspective view of the tool 100 from a bottom side of the tool 100 is illustrated. In some examples, the handle 1 18 defines a handle aperture 200 and the handlel 18 can also define a plurality of handle apertures 200. The handle apertures 200 can pass completely through the handle 1 18. Defining the handle apertures 200 in the handle 1 18 can provide several benefits including removal of weight from the overall weight of the tool 100, provision of locations to tether the tool 100 to a line worker, or other line worker equipment, and provision of additional grip surfaces for the line worker while using the tool 100. While shown having a cross-section of circular shape, the handle apertures 200 can be definedas any suitable shape. Any number of desired handle apertures 200 can be provided and can be centered about the handle axis 120. While not necessary, the handle apertures 200 can be evenly distributed or spaced along the handle axis 120. Even distribution of the handle apertures 200 can promote equal stress and strain distribution in each of the interstitial volumes between the handle apertures 200. The tool apertures 200 may be optional and may not be included in the handle 118.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 2, the bottom wall 114 may defines a wire rope clip recess 202 configured to cooperate with the U-bolt 508 of the wire rope clip 500 to limit a movement of the wire rope clip 500 relative to the socket 103 when the wire rope clip 500 is received in the internal cavity 1 16 of the socket 103. The wire rope clip recess 202 may be configured as a slot having a central axis 204 that is perpendicular to the handle axis 120 of the handle 1 18. In some examples, the wire rope clip recess 202 can be defined with other shapes and orientations, for example, the wire rope clip recess 202 can have a central axis that is parallel to the handle axis 120 of the handle 118.

[0037] The wire rope clip recess 202 may be an aperture passing through the bottom wall 114. The recess 202 may be shaped to allow the U-bolt 508 to extend through an entirety of the recess 202 or partially into the recess 202. When allowing the U-bolt 508 to extend entirely or completely through the bottom wall 1 14, a portion of a wire rope clip may extend from the space within the internal cavity 1 16 (shown in FIG. 1 ) to a space 206 located on an opposite side of the bottom wall 1 14 relative to the internal cavity 1 16.

[0038] Alternatively, the wire rope clip recess 202 may be defined as a depression in the bottom wall 114 that does not extend entirely through the bottom wall 1 14. In this example, an open side of the depression would face the internal cavity 116 so that the depression could cooperate with the U-bolt 508 of the wire rope clip 500.

[0039] Regardless of the shape or design of the wire rope clip recess 202, the wire rope clip recess 202 is configured to cooperate with the wire rope clip (shownin FIG. 5) to limit a movement of the wire rope clip relative to the hub 102 when the tool 100 is engaged with the wire rope clip. In some examples, the wire rope clip recess 202 can be defined to have a hexagonal cross section or other shapes configured to fit or engage with various wire rope clips or other objects used in conjunction with wire rope systems.

[0040] Referring to FIGS. 3, 4, and 7, another exemplary embodiment of the tool 100 is shown. In this embodiment, the side wall 113 includes additional slots so that the wire rope clip 500 may be received in the socket 103 in two different orientations. As shown, the side wall 1 13 may include the first slot 106 and the second slot 110 forming a first slot pair 124. The first slot pair 124 cooperates with the wire rope 502, such that the wire rope 502 passes through the internal cavity 116 via the first slot pair 124 when the wire rope clip 500 is received in the internal cavity 116 of the socket 103 at a first orientation (e.g., parallel to the handle 118 as shown in FIG. 6). The third slot 138 and a fourth slot 140 forming a second slot pair 126 configured to cooperate with the wire rope 502, such that the wire rope passes through the internal cavity 116 via the second slot pair 126 when the wire rope clip 500 is received in the internal cavity 116 of the socket 103 at a second orientation different from the first orientation (e.g., perpendicular to the handle 1 18 as shown in FIG. 7).

[0041] The first slot 106 and the second slot 110 may be located on a common first centerline 112. The third slot 138 and the fourth slot 140 may be located on a common second centerline 142. The common second centerline 142 may be perpendicular to the common first centerline 112 such that the orientation of the first slot pair 124 is perpendicular to the orientation of the second slot pair 126. Additionally, the common first centerline 1 12 may be parallel to the handle axis 120 of the handle 118 that is attached to and extending away from the hub 102. In some examples, the common second centerline 142 can be perpendicular to the handle axis 120 of the handle 1 18.

[0042] The internal cavity 1 16 is configured to provide an opening to engage the wire rope clip 500 when the tool 100 is in a first orientation relative to the cable(e.g., similar to the orientation of the tool 100 in FIG. 6) and when the tool 100 is in a second orientation relative to the cable (e.g., as shown in FIG. 7). In this way, the tool 100 can be in either of the first orientation or the second orientation and the internal cavity 116 will be oriented to cooperate with the wire rope clip 500.

[0043] Referring to FIG. 4, a perspective view of the tool 100 from a bottom side of the tool 100 is illustrated. The bottom wall 114 defines a wire rope clip recess 202. The wire rope clip recess 202 can be configured as an X-shaped (or crossshaped) slot wherein the bottom wall 1 14 defines a first portion 402 and a second portion 404. The first portion 402 can be a slot having a first central axis 204. The second portion 404 can be a slot that is rotated 90 degrees relative to the first portion 402. The second portion 404 can have a second central axis 208. The first portion 402 and the second portion 404 can overlap to form the X-shaped slot as shown in FIG. 4. The first central axis 204 can be perpendicular to the handle axis 120 of the handle 118 while the second central axis 208 can be parallel to the handle axis 120. In some examples, the wire rope clip recess 202 can be defined with other shapes and orientations, for example, the wire rope clip recess 202 can have a central axis that is parallel to the handle axis 120 of the handle 1 18. Any suitable shape or design of the wire rope clip recess 202 can be used with the tool 100. In some examples, the wire rope clip recess 202 can be defined to have a hexagonal cross section or other shapes configured to fit or engage with various wire rope clips or other objects used in conjunction with wire rope systems.

[0044] Regardless of the shape or design of the wire rope clip recess 202, the wire rope clip recess 202 is configured to cooperate with the wire rope clip (shown in FIG. 5) to limit a movement of the wire rope clip relative to the hub 102 when the tool 100 is engaged with the wire rope clip. Additionally, the wire rope clip recess 202 is configured to provide an opening to cooperate with the wire rope clip and engage the wire rope clip when the tool 100 is in a first orientation relative to the cable (e.g., similar to the orientation of the tool 100 in FIG. 6) and when the tool 100 is in a second orientation relative to the cable (e.g., as shown in FIG. 7). In this way, the tool 100 can be in either of the first orientation or the second orientation and the wire rope clip recess 202 will be properly oriented to cooperate with the wire ropeclip.

[0045] Referring to FIG. 5, a perspective view of the tool 100 of FIG. 1 is illustrated in a position separated from a clip or wire rope clip 500 located on a cable 502. As previously noted, the wire rope clip 500 can attach a dead end 504 of the cable 502 to the “live” side 506 of the cable 502 after looping an intermediate portion of the cable 502 around a thimble or a support structure (not shown in FIG. 5). In other examples, the wire rope clip 500 can be used to attach two separate cables to each other. The wire rope clip 500 is shown as a ll-bolt 508-style wire rope clip, although other styles of wire rope clips are also contemplated for use with the structures and methods of the present disclosure. The wire rope clip 500 can include the U-bolt 508 having male threads at each end, the ends passing through a saddle 510 (also referred to as a mounting plate or tie bar) after which a nut 512 can be threaded to each end of the U-bolt 508. A line worker may complete all or a portion of these steps while suspended above a surface (e.g., a ground surface). In order to properly secure the wire rope clip 500 to the cable 502, the nuts 512 are further threaded or tightened onto the U-bolt 508. This operation may benefit from limiting or eliminating motion of the U-bolt 508 relative to the cable 502.

[0046] As previously discussed, as the tool 100 is moved into a position to engage or cooperate with the wire rope clip 500, a portion of the U-bolt 508 (e.g., the lower, curved portion), at least one of fits into or engages the wire rope clip recess 202. Motion of the tool 100 is represented by the line 514. While not required, a portion of the wire rope clip 500 (e.g., a portion of the straight sides of the U-bolt) may cooperate with the surface 134 to limit a movement of the wire rope clip 500 relative to the tool 100 when the tool 100 is engaged with the wire rope clip 500. The noted movement can be any one of translation, rotation, or a combination of translation and rotation about multiple axes.

[0047] As the tool 100 is moved into a position to engage or cooperate with the wire rope clip 500, the first slot 106 and the second slot 1 10 cooperate with the wire rope 502. In some examples, the first slot 106 and the second slot 1 10 slide over the cable 502 such that a height dimension 516 of the cable (or a combination ofcables) lies completely within the confines of the first slot 106 and the second slot 110. Additionally, in some examples, a width dimension 516 of the first slot 106 and the second slot 1 10 is similar to an outside diameter of the cable 502 to help limit motion of the cable 502 relative to the tool 100 when the tool is engaged with the wire rope clip 500.

[0048] Referring to FIG. 6, the tool 100 is illustrated in a position that is engaged with the wire rope clip 500. As shown, the internal cavity 116 can be described to fit over, engage with, or cooperate with the wire rope clip 500. When the tool 100 is engaged with the wire rope clip 500 located on the cable 502, a line worker can hold the handle 118 of the tool 100 and the cable 502 together with a single hand generally at location 600. The line worker can use their opposite hand to operate a wrench, a ratchet, or another tool to thread or unthread the nuts 512 from the wire rope clip 500 as needed.

[0049] The previously described structures such as the internal cavity 116, the first slot 106, the second slot 110, and the wire rope clip recess 202 (not shown in FIG. 6), cooperate with at least one of the wire rope clip 500 or the cable 502 to limit component movement during an assembly or disassembly operation by the line worker. Limited component movement can include a movement of the wire rope clip 500 relative to the cable 502, a movement of the wire rope clip 500 relative to the tool 100; and a movement of the cable 502 (at least in a region local to the tool 100) relative to the tool 100.

[0050] For example, the tool 100 can limit or eliminate rotation of the wire rope clip 500 about any of an X-, Y-, or Z-axis of the wire rope clip 500 relative to the tool 100. Because the tool 100 is relatively fixed in position relative to the cable 502 by the line worker’s hand at location 600 and by the first slot 106 and the second slot 110, the wire rope clip 500 is then limited in rotation relative to the cable 502 as well. For the same reasons, the wire rope clip 500 is limited in translational movement relative to the wire in a direction parallel to an axis of the cable 502 and a direction perpendicular to the axis of the cable 502. Each of these relative motion limitations can be accomplished by physical interference resulting when or if thewire rope clip 500 is urged into motion relative to the tool 100 or the cable 502. Disengagement of the tool 100 from the wire rope clip 500 would relieve the described physical interference limitations to relative motion. It is to be appreciated that the tool 100 can be operated in the orientation shown, or rotated 180 degrees to suit the line worker or avoid other equipment associated with the cable 502.

[0051] Referring to FIG. 7, a perspective view of the tool 100 of FIG. 3 is illustrated in a position that is separated or disengaged from the wire rope clip 500 located on the cable 502. As shown, the tool 100 includes the previously described third slot 338, the fourth slot 340, and the X-shaped wire rope clip recess 202. These defined spaces of the tool 100 enable the line worker to use the tool 100 in a first orientation (e.g., the position of the tool 100 in FIG. 6) and an additional second orientation as shown in FIG. 7. The second orientation can be described as an orientation of the tool 100 rotated 90 degrees about an axis that is perpendicular to an axis of the cable 502. Similar to the tool 100 shown in FIG. 6, orientations of the tool 100 that are rotated 180 degrees from the first orientation and the second orientation are also enabled.

[0052] As previously discussed, as the tool 100 can be moved into a position to engage or cooperate with the wire rope clip 500, motion of the tool 100 represented by line 700. A portion of the wire rope clip 500 at least one of fits into, engages, or cooperates with the wire rope clip recess 202. While not required, a portion of the wire rope clip 500 (e.g., a portion of the straight sides of the U-bolt) may cooperate with a surface of the internal cavity 1 16 to limit a movement of the wire rope clip 500 relative to the tool 100 when the tool 100 is engaged with the wire rope clip 500. The noted movement can be any one of translation, rotation, or a combination of translation and rotation about multiple axes.

[0053] As the tool 100 is moved into a position to engage or cooperate with the wire rope clip 500, the third slot 338 and the fourth slot 340 cooperate with the wire rope 502. In some examples, the third slot 338 and the fourth slot 340 slide over the cable 502 such that a height dimension of the cable (or a combination of cables) lies completely within the confines of the third slot 338 and the fourth slot 340.Additionally, in some examples, a width dimension of the third slot 338 and the fourth slot 340 is approximates an outside diameter of the cable 502 to help limit motion of the cable 502 relative to the tool 100 when the tool is engaged with the wire rope clip 500.

[0054] When the tool 100 is engaged with the wire rope clip 500 located on the cable 502, a line worker can hold the handle 118 of the tool 100 generally at location 700. The line worker can use their opposite hand to operate a wrench, a ratchet, or another tool to thread or unthread the nuts 512 from the wire rope clip 500 as needed. When the tool 100 is positioned to be engaged with the wire rope clip 500, the limitations of relative motion between the tool 100, the wire rope clip 500, and the cable 502 are the same as the limitations discussed above in relation to FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0055] Although the apparatus and methods have been shown and described with respect to a certain embodiment or embodiments, it is obvious that equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of this specification and the annexed drawings. In particular regard to the various functions performed by the above described elements (components, assemblies, devices, compositions, etc.), the terms (including a reference to a “means”) used to describe such elements are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, to any element which performs the specified function of the described element (i.e., that is functionally equivalent), even though not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs the function in the herein illustrated exemplary embodiment or embodiments of the disclosure. In addition, while a particular feature of the disclosure may have been described above with respect to only one or more of several illustrated embodiments, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of the other embodiments, as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application.

Claims

Claims1 . A tool for engaging with a wire rope clip installed on a wire rope such that the wire rope passes between a saddle of the wire rope clip and a ll-bolt of the wire rope clip attached to the saddle by nuts, the tool comprising: a hub including a socket having an internal cavity shaped to receive the ll- bolt and a portion of the saddle of the wire rope clip, such that the nuts of the wire rope clip are accessible while the wire rope clip is received in the internal cavity of the socket, wherein: the socket includes a side wall and a bottom wall defining the internal cavity; the side wall includes a first slot and a second slot both configured to cooperate with the wire rope, such that the wire rope passes through the internal cavity via the first slot and the second slot when the wire rope clip is received in the internal cavity of the socket; and a handle attached to and extending away from the hub.

2. The tool of claim 1 , wherein the side wall defines a surface shaped to engage with the wire rope clip to limit a movement of the wire rope clip relative to the socket when the wire rope clip is received in the internal cavity of the socket.

3. The tool of claim 1 , wherein the first slot and the second slot bisect the side wall, such that the sidewall includes a first wall separated from a second wall by the first slot and the second slot.

4. The tool of claim 3, wherein the side wall further includes: a third wall extending through the first slot and between the first wall and the second wall; and a fourth wall opposite the third wall, and extending through the second slot and between the first wall and the second wall.

5. The tool of claim 1 , wherein the bottom wall includes a wire rope clip recess configured to cooperate with the ll-bolt of the wire rope clip to limit a movement of the wire rope clip relative to the socket when the wire rope clip is received in the internal cavity of the socket.

6. The tool of claim 5, wherein the wire rope clip recess comprises an aperture passing through the bottom wall enabling a portion of the wire rope clip to extend from the space within the internal cavity to a space located on an opposite side of the bottom wall relative to the internal cavity.

7. The tool of claim 6, wherein the positions and dimensions of the wire rope clip recess, the first slot, and the second slot are configured to limit a movement of the wire rope clip relative to the socket.

8. The tool of claim 5, wherein the wire rope clip recess is configured as a slot having a central axis that is perpendicular to: a passageway formed through the internal cavity between the first slot and the second slot; and a handle axis of the handle.

9. The tool of claim 5, wherein the wire rope clip recess is configured as a slot having a central axis that is: perpendicular to a passageway formed through the internal cavity between the first slot and the second slot parallel to a handle axis of the handle.

10. The tool of claim 1 , wherein the first slot and the second slot are located on a common centerline, the centerline parallel or perpendicular to a handle axis of the handle.11 . The tool of claim 1 , wherein the handle includes a plurality of handle apertures.

12. The tool of claim 1 1 , wherein the handle apertures are evenly distributed along a handle axis of the handle.

13. A tool for engaging with a wire rope clip installed on a wire rope such that the wire rope passes between a saddle of the wire rope clip and a U-bolt of the wire rope clip attached to the saddle by nuts, the tool comprising:: a hub including a socket having an internal cavity shaped to receive the II- bolt and a portion of the saddle of the wire rope clip, such that the nuts of the wire rope clip are accessible while the wire rope clip is received in the internal cavity of the socket, wherein: the socket includes a side wall and a bottom wall defining the internal cavity; the side wall includes: a first slot and a second slot forming a first slot pair configured to cooperate with the wire rope, such that the wire rope passes through the internal cavity via the first slot pair when the wire rope clip is received in the internal cavity of the socket at a first orientation; and a third slot and a fourth slot forming a second slot pair configured to cooperate with the wire rope, such that the wire rope passes through the internal cavity via the second slot pair when the wire rope clip is received in the internal cavity of the socket at a second orientation different from the first orientation; and a handle attached to and extending away from the hub.

14. The tool of claim 13, wherein the side wall defines a surface shaped to engage with the wire rope clip to limit a movement of the wire rope clip relative to the socket when the wire rope clip is received in the internal cavity of the socket in the first orientation or the second orientation.

15. The tool of claim 13, wherein: the first slot, the second slot, the third slot, and the fourth slot, segment the sidewall into: a first wall located between the first slot and the second slot; a second wall located between the second slot and the third slot; a third wall located between the third slot and the fourth slot; and a fourth wall located between the fourth slot and the first slot.

16. The tool of claim 13, wherein the bottom wall includes a wire rope clip recess configured to cooperate with the U-bolt of the wire rope clip to limit a movement of the wire rope clip relative to the socket when the wire rope clip is received in the internal cavity of the socket in the first orientation or the second orientation.

17. The tool of claim 16, wherein the wire rope clip recess comprises an aperture passing through the bottom wall.

18. The tool of claim 16, wherein the wire rope clip recess is configured as an X-shaped slot having one portion of the X-shaped slot that is perpendicular to a handle axis of the handle.

19. The tool of claim 13, wherein: the first slot and the second slot are located on a common first centerline parallel to a handle axis of the handle; and the third slot and the fourth slot are located on a common second centerline perpendicular to the first centerline.

20. The tool of claim 13, wherein: the first slot and the second slot are located on a common first centerline perpendicular to a handle axis of the handle; and the third slot and the fourth slot are located on a common second centerlineperpendicular to the first centerline.

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