AU2008100941A4

AU2008100941A4 - Cable tensioning apparatus

Info

Publication number: AU2008100941A4
Application number: AU2008100941A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Clifford James George
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-10-02
Filing date: 2008-09-23
Publication date: 2008-10-23
Anticipated expiration: 2016-09-23

Description

00 1 SCable Tensioning Apparatus Field of the Invention.

The present invention relates to a cable tensioning apparatus. In particular, the present invention relates to a cable tensioning apparatus which is self-tensioning.

Background Art.

There are many applications in which cords, wires, cables, ropes, flat straps and the 00 0like are installed under tension, such as in wire fences, clothes lines, shade sails, guy I 10 ropes and so on. Over time, however, a loss of tension in the cables occurs, leading to the cables sagging and operating less effectively.

When a loss of tension occurs, the cables must be manually re-tensioned. In some circumstances, such as when re-tensioning guy ropes for large antennae, billboards, buildings and so on, this process may be inconvenient, time-consuming, labour intensive and expensive. In other applications, such as when tensioning wire fences, re-tensioning wire may even pose a safety risk should a wire under tension snap or break during the tensioning process.

Therefore, there would be an advantage if it were possible to provide a means for maintaining constant tension in a cable in order to avoid the need to periodically manually re-tension the cable.

It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country.

Throughout this specification, the term "comprising" and its grammatical equivalents shall be taken to have an inclusive meaning unless the context of use indicates otherwise.

Object of the Invention.

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It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for tensioning a spoolable product which may overcome at least some of the abovementioned disadvantages, or provide a useful or commercial choice.

In a first aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus for tensioning a Sspoolable product comprising a spool around which a spoolable product may be Sspooled, the spool including one or more engagement means associated therewith, the apparatus further comprises a locking member, the locking member comprising one or 00

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Omore engagement means adapted to engage with the engagement means of the spool N 10 to prevent rotation of the spool in one direction.

The spoolable product may comprise any suitable product, such as, but not limited to, wire, rope (made from either natural or synthetic materials), chain, cables, cords, threads (made from either natural or synthetic materials), flat straps (for instance, fabric straps) and the like.

The spool of the present invention may be any suitable device that includes a portion adapted for spooling a spoolable product and at least one portion comprising one or more engagement means. The portion adapted for spooling a spoolable product may comprise, for instance, a cylinder or a roll, which may be located above or below the portion comprising one or more engagement means. In embodiments of the invention in which more than one portions comprising engagement means are present, the portion adapted for spooling a spoolable product may be located above, below, or between the portions comprising engagement means.

The portion of the spool comprising one or more engagement means may be of any suitable form. In some embodiments of the invention, the portion of the spool comprising one or more engagement means may be in the form of a disc or wheel.

Preferably, the engagement means may comprise one or more teeth located on the outer periphery of the wheel or circle. The teeth may be of any suitable size and shape, and the exact dimensions of the teeth are not critical to the working of the invention. In a most preferred embodiment of the invention, the portion of the spool 00 3

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comprising one or more engagement means may be a ratchet wheel. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the diameter of the ratchet wheel is greater than that of the portion adapted for spooling the spoolable product, for example, up to three times IN greater, or more than three times greater. In some embodiments of the invention, the spool and the ratchet wheel may be provided as two separate components, while in Sother embodiments of the invention, the spool and the ratchet wheel may be formed 0 integrally with one another.

00 OThe locking member may be of any suitable size or shape. However, it is preferred i 10 that the locking member is provided with one or more engagement means that engage with the engagement means on the spool to prevent rotation of the spool in one direction. In some embodiments of the invention, the engagement means may comprise one or more teeth. Preferably, the one or more teeth have a complimentary shape to the one or more teeth located on the spool. In a most preferred embodiment of the invention, the locking member may comprise a ratchet, and in particular a straight ratchet.

In some embodiments of the invention, the locking member may be spring-loaded or otherwise biased. Thus, the rotation of the spool in one direction may activate the spring-loaded or biased locking member, allowing the spool to rotate in one direction.

However, the engagement means on both the spool and the locking member prevent the spool from rotating in the opposite direction.

In some preferred embodiments, the apparatus of the present invention may comprise a plurality of locking members. Preferably, each of the plurality of locking members may be spring-loaded or otherwise biased. Most preferably, the apparatus comprises two locking members. The two locking members may be located opposite one another such that the spool may be located between the locking members. In this way, the locking members may function either separately or together to prevent the rotation of the spool in one direction.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the apparatus may be contained within a 00 4 Shousing.

SThe apparatus may further comprise self-tensioning means. The self-tensioning means CI may comprise any suitable means. However, in some embodiments of the invention the self-tensioning means may comprise a spring. The self-tensioning means may be adapted for connection to the spool, either directly or by using a connecting means.

The connecting means may be of any suitable form, however in some embodiments of the invention the connecting means comprises movable means. The movable means 00 may be of any suitable form, such as a sliding means. When a slackness occurs in the C, 10 cable, wire, cord or similar, the self-tensioning means acts to allow the spool to rotate and take up the slack in the cable. However, the self-tensioning means assists in preventing the spool from turning in the opposite direction, thus maintaining the cable in a fully tensioned state.

In some embodiments of the invention, the apparatus further comprises anchor means.

The anchor means may be adapted to anchor the apparatus to any suitable support, such as, for instance, the ground (for guy wires), a frame (for clothes lines), a fence post or tree (for fences), a bollard (for boat moorings) and so on. The exact nature of the anchor means is not critical, and the anchor means may comprise a spike, loop, ring, hook, or any other suitable means.

In some embodiments of the invention, the apparatus may be provided with disengagement means for allowing the user to disengage the apparatus, thus preventing the apparatus from self-tensioning the cable, wire etc.

In another aspect, the invention resides broadly in an apparatus for tensioning a spoolable product comprising a spool around which a spoolable product may be spooled, the spool including one or more engagement means associated therewith, the apparatus further comprises a locking member, the locking member adapted to engage with the engagement means of the spool to prevent rotation of the spool in one direction.

00 In some embodiments of the invention, the one or more engagement means may comprise an elongate member. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, an end of the elongate may be adapted to engage with the engagement means of the spool.

The elongate member may be of any suitable form. In some embodiments of the invention, the elongate member may be a pawl.

In some embodiments of the invention, the locking member may be spring-loaded or 00 Ootherwise biased. Thus, the rotation of the spool in one direction may activate the N 10 spring-loaded or biased locking member, allowing the spool to rotate in one direction.

In some preferred embodiments, the apparatus of the present invention may comprise a plurality of locking members. Preferably, each of the plurality of locking members may be spring-loaded or otherwise biased. Most preferably, the apparatus comprises two locking members. The two locking members may be located opposite one another such that the spool may be located between the locking members. In this way, the locking members may function either separately or together to prevent the rotation of the spool in one direction The present invention may be used for many different applications, such as, but not limited to, tensioning fences, clothes lines, shade sails, tie down straps (such as for covered loads in vehicles), moorings and tethers, such as boat moorings and balloon tethers, guy ropes (for buildings, billboards, antennae, tents and the like) and so on.

The apparatus may be of any suitable size or shape. The apparatus may be sized to maintain the tension in, for instance, relatively small diameter fencing wire or large diameter cable for mooring large ships.

Brief Description of the Drawings.

An embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawings in which: Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 illustrates an apparatus for tensioning a spoolable product according to an embodiment of the present invention; illustrates an apparatus for tensioning a spoolable product according to an embodiment of the present invention; illustrates an apparatus for tensioning a spoolable product according to an embodiment of the present invention; illustrates an apparatus for tensioning a spoolable product according to an embodiment of the present invention; illustrates an apparatus for tensioning a spoolable product according to an embodiment of the present invention; illustrates an apparatus for tensioning a spoolable product according to an embodiment of the present invention; illustrates an apparatus for tensioning a spoolable product according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention; illustrates an apparatus for tensioning a spoolable product according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention; illustrates an apparatus for tensioning a spoolable product according to a further alternative embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 Figure 7 Figure 8 Figure 9 Detailed Description of the Drawings.

It will be appreciated that the drawings have been provided for the purposes of illustrating preferred embodiments of the present invention and that the invention should not be considered to be limited solely to the features as shown in the drawings.

In Figure 1 there is shown an apparatus 21 for spooling a spoolable product according to an embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus 21 comprises a spool 3 around which a spoolable product, such as a wire 18, may be spooled. The spool 3 is connected to a ratchet wheel 1, the ratchet wheel 1 having a plurality of teeth 22. The apparatus 21 further comprises a lower straight ratchet 2a and an upper straight ratchet 2b, with each of the straight ratchets 2a,2b having a plurality of teeth 23. The teeth 23 of the straight ratchets 2a,2b are of a complimentary size and shape to the 00 7 teeth 22 of the wheel ratchet 1 to enhance the engagement between the straight ratchets 2a,2b and the wheel ratchet 1 during use.

CI When an intermittent pulling action (such as that produced by thermal expansion or contraction of a cable, wind movement, water or wave motion, the weight of clothes on a clothesline and so on) produces some slack in the wire 18, the spool will rotate in the direction indicated by arrow 24, thus winding the wire 18 onto the spool 3. As the wheel ratchet 1 rotates with the spool 3, the teeth 22 of the wheel ratchet 1 disengage 00 from the teeth 23 of the straight ratchets 2a,2b re-engage with a with the straight i 10 ratchets 2a,2b between an adjacent pair of teeth 23. The straight ratchets 2a,2b are each connected to a spring 6 in order to allow the ratchet wheel 1 to turn freely when there is some slack in the wire 18. When the upper straight ratchet 2b is disengaged from the ratchet wheel 1, the ratchet wheel 1 not only rotates, but also moves in the direction indicated by arrow 27.

Turning now to Figure 2, there is shown the apparatus 21 of the present invention in which the teeth 22 of the ratchet wheel I engage with the teeth 23 of the upper straight ratchet 2b and disengage from the teeth 22 of the lower straight ratchet 1. In this situation, the wheel ratchet 1 rotates in the direction indicated by arrow 24, thus winding the wire 18 onto the spool 3 and pulling the wire 18 taut. The spool 3 is prevented from rotating in a clockwise direction due to the way in which the teeth 22 of the ratchet wheel 1 engage with the teeth 23 of the upper straight ratchet 2b. In the situation illustrated in Figure 2, the wheel ratchet 1 not only rotates, but also moves in the direction indicated by arrow 28.

In Figure 3, the apparatus 21 of the present invention is shown housed in a housing The housing 25 comprises anchor means in the form of a ring 17 adapted for connection to a support (not shown). The apparatus 21 comprises a spring 5 contained within the housing 25 by a post 11 and spring retaining member 13. Post 11 is mounted in fixed relationship to base 30. The spring 5 and ratchet wheel 1 are interconnected by a movable member 4, such that when the spring is compressed or tensioned, the movable member 4 causes the ratchet wheel 1 to rotate and wind the 00 8 wire 18 onto the spool 3. The wheel ratchet 1 and movable member 4 are connected together by means of a post or axle 9 which retains the movable member 4 on the wheel ratchet 1.

In situations in which there is some slack in the wire 18, such as that illustrated in Figure 3, the apparatus 21 will automatically apply tension to the wire 18 to remove any slack from the wire 18. In Figure 3, the spring 5 is shown fully compressed and the movable member 4 has traveled forwards to its full extent. When the wire 18 00 becomes slack the upper straight ratchet 2b disengages from the ratchet wheel 1 and I 10 the lower straight ratchet 2a engages with the ratchet wheel 1. The ratchet wheel 1 will rotate in the direction shown by arrow 24, thereby winding the wire 18 onto the spool 3. In this regard, the movable member 4 moves towards the rear of the housing in the direction indicated by arrow 26. Under the action of spring 5, the ratchet wheel 1 rotates in the direction indicated by arrow The engagement or disengagement of the upper and lower straight ratchets 2a,2b is facilitated by springs 6 connected to the straight ratchets 2a,2b. The straight ratchets 2a,2b are held in place by pins 19 which allow the straight ratchets 2a,2b to pivot at one end. The apparatus 21 is further provided with a mechanism 7 through which the wheel ratchet 1 and the straight ratchets 2a,2b may be manually disengaged.

In Figure 4 a top sectional view of the apparatus 21 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this figure, the rotation of the ratchet wheel 1 has moved the movable member 4 to the rear of the housing 25 and the spring 5 is in an uncompressed state. The housing 25 is provided with elongated holes 8 which allow the movable member 4 and post 9 to move backwards and forwards inside the housing The elongated holes 8 also serve to define the limits of movement of the movable member 4. Suitably, the movable member 4 moves between the members 8a that include holes 8.

In the situation illustrated in Figure 4, if there is any slack in the wire 18, the position of the movable member 4 at the rear of the housing 25 will result in the lower straight 00 9 O ratchet 2a disengaging from the ratchet wheel 1. The ratchet wheel 1 will rotate, thereby winding the wire 18 onto the spool 3 and eliminating the slack in the wire 18.

In Figure 5 a bottom sectional view of the apparatus 21 is shown. It may be seen in this figure that the wire 18 enters the apparatus 21 through a hole 16 in the front wall of the housing 25. The wire 18 is secured to a hole 15 in the post 9, the post 9 passing through the centre of the spool 3. The post 9 is provided with a head 14 that allows manual tightening of the wire 18. Manual tightening of the wire 18 may be conducted 00 once the manual disengagement mechanism 7 has been used to disengage the wheel I 10 ratchet 1 from the straight ratchets 2a,2b, although disengagement of the ratchets does not need to take place for manual tightening to occur.

The rear of the movable member 4 is provided with an opening 12 which allows the movable member 4 to move backwards and forwards around the post 11.

The apparatus 21 may further be provided with a number of washers 20 to ensure that the movable member 4 may move freely. The washers 20 are preferably made from nylon, although any suitable material could be used (such as metal, plastics and the like).

In Figure 6, a plan view of the apparatus 21 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this figure, the housing 25 of the apparatus 21 may be clearly seen. The limits of the movement of the movable member (obscured) are defined by the extremities of the elongate hole 8. In addition, the manual tightening head 14 may be more clearly seen in this figure. The manual tightening head 14 may be turned either by hand, or using a spanner or socket to rotate the head 14.

Alternatively, tightening of the wire (not shown) may be achieved by manually pulling the wire (not shown) in order to activate the self-tensioning action of the apparatus 21.

In Figure 7, an apparatus 30 for spooling a spoolable product according to an alternative embodiment of the invention is illustrated in a top sectional view. The 00oo N, apparatus 30 comprises a spool 31 around which a spoolable product, such as a wire 18, may be spooled. The wire 18 enters the apparatus 30 through a hole 41 in the front wall of the housing The spool 31 is integrally formed with a ratchet wheel 32. The apparatus 30 further comprises a pawl 33. The pawl 33 engages with the ratchet wheel 32 during use such that the ratchet wheel 32 is prevented from rotating in one direction.

00oO The rotation of the ratchet wheel 31 has moved the movable member 34 to the front of I 10 the housing 35 and the spring 36 is in a compressed state. The housing 35 is provided with elongated holes 44 which allow the movable member 34 and post 37 to move backwards and forwards inside the housing 35. The elongated holes 44 also serve to define the limits of movement of the movable member 34. Suitably, the movable member 34 moves between the members 38 that include holes 44. The post 37 is provided with a head 42 that allows manual tightening of the wire 18.

The spring 36 is contained within the housing 35 by a post 39 and spring retaining member 40. Post 39 is mounted in fixed relationship to base 43.

In Figure 8, the apparatus 30 is shown housed in a housing 35. The housing comprises anchor means in the form of a ring 45 adapted for connection to a support (not shown). The apparatus 30 comprises a spring 36 contained within the housing by a post 39 and spring retaining member 40. Post 39 is mounted in fixed relationship to base 43. The spring 36 and ratchet wheel 32 are interconnected by a movable member 34, such that when the spring is compressed or tensioned, the movable member 34 causes the ratchet wheel 32 to rotate and wind the wire 18 onto the spool 31. The wheel ratchet 32 and movable member 34 are connected together by means of a post or axle 37 which retains the movable member 34 on the wheel ratchet 32.

When an intermittent pulling action (such as that produced by thermal expansion or contraction of a cable, wind movement, water or wave motion, the weight of clothes on a clothesline and so on) produces some slack in the wire 18, the spool 31 will 00 11 rotate in the direction indicated by arrow 46, thus winding the wire 18 onto the spool 31. As the wheel ratchet 32 and spool 31 rotate, the teeth 47 of the wheel ratchet 32 Sdisengage from the pawls 33 and re-engage with an adjacent pair of teeth 47. The N pawls 33 are each connected to a spring 48 in order to allow the ratchet wheel 32 to turn freely when there is some slack in the wire 18. When the uppermost pawl 33 is disengaged from the ratchet wheel 32, the ratchet wheel 32 not only rotates, but also moves in the direction indicated by arrow 49.

00 In Figure 9, an apparatus 50 for spooling a spoolable product according to a further N 10 alternative embodiment of the invention is illustrated in a top sectional view. The apparatus 50 comprises a spool 51 around which a spoolable product, such as a wire 18, may be spooled. The wire 18 enters the apparatus 50 through a side wall 52 of the housing 53.

The spool 51 is integrally formed with a ratchet wheel 54. The apparatus 50 further comprises a pair of pawls 55. The pawls 55 engage with the ratchet wheel 54 during use such that the ratchet wheel 54 is prevented from rotating in one direction. The pawls 55 are mounted via springs 56, meaning that the pawls 55 are biased into contact with the ratchet wheel 54.

The apparatus 50 is shown housed in a housing 53. The apparatus 50 comprises a spring 58 located externally to the housing 53 and contained by a post 59 and spring retaining member 60. The spring retaining member 60 may be further adapted for connection to a support (not shown) is required. Post 59 is mounted in fixed relationship to base 61. The spring 58 and ratchet wheel 54 are interconnected by the movable housing 53, such that when the spring is compressed or tensioned, the movable housing 53 causes the ratchet wheel 54 to rotate and wind the wire 18 onto the spool 51.

When an intermittent pulling action (such as that produced by thermal expansion or contraction of a cable, wind movement, water or wave motion, the weight of clothes on a clothesline and so on) produces some slack in the wire 18, the spool 51 will 00 12 rotate in the direction indicated by arrow 62, thus winding the wire 18 onto the spool e- 51. As the wheel ratchet 54 and spool 51 rotate, the teeth 63 of the ratchet wheel 54 disengage from the pawls 55 and re-engage with an adjacent pair of teeth 63. The ,I pawls 55 are each connected to a spring 56 in order to allow the ratchet wheel 54 to turn freely when there is some slack in the wire 18. When the left hand pawl 55 is disengaged from the ratchet wheel 54, the ratchet wheel 54 not only rotates, but the movable housing 53 also moves in the direction indicated by arrow 64.

00 Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention may be susceptible CI 10 to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It will be understood that the present invention encompasses all such variations and modifications that fall within its spirit and scope.

Claims

2.
3.
4.
5. An apparatus for tensioning a spoolable product comprising a spool around which a spoolable product may be spooled, the spool including one or more engagement means associated with it, the apparatus further comprises a locking member, the locking member comprising one or more engagement means adapted to engage with the engagement means of the spool to prevent rotation of the spool in one direction. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the engagement means of the spool is a ratchet wheel. An apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the locking member is a straight ratchet. An apparatus for tensioning a spoolable product comprising a spool around which a spoolable product may be spooled, the spool including one or more engagement means associated therewith, the apparatus further comprises a locking member, the locking member adapted to engage with the engagement means of the spool to prevent rotation of the spool in one direction. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the apparatus further comprises self-tensioning means adapted to maintain the spoolable product in a tensioned state.