Captivated Wire Rope Thimble with Element Retaining Feature
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wire rope sling assemblies have separable components that can be easily replaced by users, leading to safety risks and liability issues for manufacturers, as they are not designed to prevent substitution of inferior components.
Innovation Solution
A captivated wire rope sling assembly with an integrated design featuring a wire rope thimble and element retaining feature, where the shackle or rigging element is secured in a way that cannot be removed without apparent damage, ensuring all components are integral and preventing unauthorized replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If components of wire rope slings are made separable for ease of replacement, then ease of repair is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to unauthorized replacement with inferior components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separable components (thimble, wire rope, retaining feature) into an integrated assembly where the element retaining feature is permanently attached to the thimble. This merging prevents unauthorized replacement while maintaining the functional benefits of each individual component, resolving the contradiction between ease of repair and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The element retaining feature is pre-installed and permanently attached to the thimble before the wire rope is assembled. This preliminary action ensures that when the wire rope loop is installed through the thimble, it cannot be removed without damaging the retaining feature, thus preventing future unauthorized replacements while maintaining initial ease of assembly.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple individual components are used in wire rope sling assemblies, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases and safety certification becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the thimble and element retaining feature into a single integrated assembly that functions as a unified component. This reduces the number of separate parts requiring individual certification while maintaining the adaptability of the wire rope sling system, as the integrated assembly can still be used with various wire rope configurations.
3Reliability
If the element retaining feature is permanently attached to the thimble, then reliability is improved by preventing component replacement, but ease of manufacture deteriorates due to additional welding requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The element retaining feature is attached to the thimble during the manufacturing process before final assembly with the wire rope. This preliminary action allows for controlled welding or permanent attachment under factory conditions, ensuring reliability while managing manufacturing complexity through standardized production procedures rather than field assembly.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enhances safety by preventing the substitution of inferior components, reducing liability for manufacturers and ensuring compliance with safety regulations, as the entire assembly can be certified as a single unit rather than individual components.
Implementation Method 1
the element retaining feature is welded to the first or second leg portion
Data Source
AI summary
A captivated wire rope assembly can comprise a wire rope, shackle, ferrule, and wire rope thimble having an element retaining feature. The element retaining feature can ensure that all of the assembly components remain together for the life of the assembly by rendering it impossible to remove or replace the shackle or other rigging element without apparent damage to the system. The element retaining feature can be, for example, a substantially triangular gusset welded to one thimble leg, but not the other. Disclosed methods for making such a captivated wire rope assembly require no welding after the wire rope has been placed in the thimble, thus preventing damage to the wire rope or other assembly components.