Rope Clamp With Pre-Positioning Projections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable clamps require significant effort to fix cables in place before deformation, as the U-shaped recesses are often the same size or slightly larger than the cable circumference, leading to unintentional slippage and the need for additional positioning or holding during on-site assembly.
Innovation Solution
The clamp features leg-like walls with elevations that are smaller than the cable diameter, allowing for pre-assembly and secure positioning of cables, which are then held in place by nubs or projections within the U-shaped recesses, enabling easy snap-in and axial fixation without additional aids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the U-shaped recesses are made the same size or slightly larger than the cable circumference, then the cables can be easily inserted into the clamp, but the cables can unintentionally slide or slip out before the clamp is pressed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing elevations on the inner sides of the leg-like walls that protrude into the U-shaped recesses. These elevations are positioned at a distance smaller than the cable diameter, creating a pre-assembly state where cables are preliminarily secured before the actual pressing operation. This preliminary positioning prevents cables from slipping out during handling and transport to the pressing location.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by making the elevations only on the inner sides of the leg-like walls, not uniformly across the entire clamp structure. The elevations are strategically placed at specific locations within the U-shaped recesses where they locally increase friction and provide mechanical interlocking with the cable, while the rest of the clamp maintains its original cable-friendly geometry for easy insertion.
2Reliability
If additional positioning or holding aids are added to prevent cable slippage, then cable positioning stability is improved, but the device complexity and assembly effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the positioning function with the existing clamp structure by integrating elevations directly into the leg-like walls of the U-shaped recesses. Instead of adding separate positioning aids or holding devices, the elevations are combined with the clamp body itself, forming an integrated structure that provides both clamping and positioning functions in one component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies self-service by designing the elevations to automatically perform the positioning function without requiring external aids or additional operational steps. The elevations self-engage with the cables when inserted, providing automatic positioning and holding that eliminates the need for separate positioning tools or procedures.
3Reliability
If the elevations are made to extend fully across the leg walls, then cable holding power is maximized, but the clamp becomes more difficult to manufacture as a one-piece structure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by providing elevations that extend only partially along the leg-like walls, not fully across their entire length. The elevations are positioned and dimensioned to provide sufficient cable holding power at the critical insertion and positioning zones, while avoiding the manufacturing complexity that would result from full-length elevations spanning the entire leg wall structure.
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 design allows for simple pre-positioning and secure holding of cables, reducing the effort required during assembly, especially in on-site applications, by ensuring cables remain fixed without slipping, even when deformed, and can be manufactured with integrated nubs for enhanced holding power.
Implementation Method 1
The cable strands themselves consist of a number of twisted strands, so that there is a certain elasticity in the radial direction. This allows the cable strands to be connected to be at least partially elastically deformed and the projections to be able to pass when being inserted into the not yet deformed clamp.
Data Source
Figure 1~6
Figure 7~11
Figure 12~14
AI summary
The invention addresses the problem of creating a clamp of the general type in question with which a pre-positioning of the ropes to be connected is possible in a simple manner. The problem is solved with a clamp for connecting ropes, particularly for forming nets, the clamp consisting of a material deformable under pressure, with two U-shaped recesses (2, 3, 4, 5) arranged on opposing sides of the one-piece clamp (1), into which recesses the rope strands (6, 7, 8, 9) to be connected can be inserted. The leg-like walls (10, 11, 12, 13) of the U-shaped recesses are pressed one against another and deformed after insertion of the rope strands in order to form a respective ring enclosing the ropes.The clamp substantially has the form of a double cone (16, 17) consisting of two truncated cones before deformation, and the U-shaped recesses are each arranged in the truncated cone. The clamp is characterized in that the leg-like walls (10, 11, 12, 13) comprise at least one elevation (34) pointing in the direction of the U-shaped recesses (2, 3, 4, 5), the distance between opposing elevations (34) being slightly smaller than a diameter (D) of the rope strands (6, 7, 8, 9) to be connected.