Adjustable length tensioning member

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10717633-B2
Application number	US-201916678228-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 8, 2019
Priority date	Mar 3, 2014
Publication date	Jul 21, 2020
Grant date	Jul 21, 2020

Abstract

An adjustable length tensioning member that comprises a rope, a first connector on the rope, a second connector on the rope, and a plurality of connection points between the first connector and the second connector is disclosed. The plurality of connection points have a diameter greater than a diameter of the rope. The rope may be passed through a socket coupled to a first crane component and one of the connectors on the rope is coupled to a second crane component. One of the plurality of connection points engages a seat on the socket to tension the rope between the socket and the connection point.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A method for connecting a tensioning assembly between first and second crane components, the tensioning assembly comprising a rope connector and a socket, the rope connector comprising a rope having a first end, a second end, and a first diameter; a first rope connector disposed at the first end of the rope; a second rope connector disposed at the second end of the rope; and a plurality of enlarged diameter connection points disposed between the first rope connector and the second rope connector, the plurality of enlarged diameter connection points having a second diameter greater than the first diameter, the method comprising:
coupling the first rope connector of the rope connector with the first crane component;
coupling the socket to the second crane component, the socket comprising:
a recess with a first portion having a third diameter greater than the second diameter of the enlarged diameter connection points and a second portion having a fourth diameter greater than the first diameter of the rope and less than the second diameter of the enlarged diameter connection points;
a transition from the first portion to the second portion forming a seat;
an access slot extending laterally from a lateral side of the socket to the recess and axially a length of the recess, the access slot having a width greater than the first diameter and less than the second diameter; and,
an aperture disposed traverse to the recess, the aperture sized and shaped to receive a retaining pin for retaining a connection point of the rope connector in the recess;

passing a portion of the rope into the second portion until one of the plurality of enlarged diameter connection points is within the first portion;
securing an enlarged diameter connection point within the first portion; and
moving the first crane component relative to the second crane component to tension the tensioning assembly.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising securing the second rope connector of the rope to the second crane component.

3. The method of claim 1 , further wherein passing the portion of the rope connector is performed with the socket non perpendicular to a surface of the second crane component and wherein the method further includes, pivoting the socket perpendicular to the surface of the second crane component and securing the socket in place.

Assignees

• Manitowoc Crane Companies Llc

Inventors

• Moore Ian M
• Geiser Derrick L

Classifications

• F16G11/00

  Means for fastening cables or ropes to one another or to other objects; Caps or sleeves for fixing on cables or ropes (attaching ropes or cables to lift cars or cages B66B7/08, to winch drums or barrels B66D1/34; ground anchors E02D5/00; anchoring devices for prestressed members E04C5/00; rope clamps in earth drilling E21B19/12) · CPC title

• B66C23/70 Primary

  constructed of sections adapted to be assembled to form jibs or various lengths · CPC title

• B66C23/00

  Cranes comprising essentially a beam, boom, or triangular structure acting as a cantilever and mounted for translatory of swinging movements in vertical or horizontal planes or a combination of such movements, e.g. jib-cranes, derricks, tower cranes (base supporting structures with legs B65C5/00) · CPC title

• B66C23/823

  Bracing equipment acting in vertical direction · CPC title

• F16G11/12

  Connections or attachments, e.g. turnbuckles, adapted for straining of cables, ropes, or wire (straining wire in general B21F9/00) · CPC title