Abstract:
A connector for connecting a panel of a bridge platform or other scaffolding to an underlying cable for supporting the panel. First and second plates are hingedly joined. A member is attached to and extends from the first plate to a free end portion, wherein the member is adapted to be passed downwardly through a panel and cradle a cable passing below the panel then to be passed upwardly back through the opening then through an aperture in the second plate. A wedge is slidably receivable between ledges on the free end portion and the second plate for wedgedly retaining the member in the aperture. A member is attached to the second plate in a position such that it retains the wedge inseparable from the plates. The plates and wedge are inseparable from each other in each of latched and unlatched states. 
     In another connector, the free end portion has a plurality of spaced grooves engageable by mating structure on the second plate for achieving the latched state. The mating structure comprises an elongate member in an inclined slot. The mating structure alternatively comprises a gear wheel for engaging the grooves and a pin for locking the gear wheel position, the pin being connected to one of the plates to be inseparable therefrom.

Description:
[0001]    This is a divisional of application Ser. No. 12/884,418, filed Sep. 17, 2010, and claims priority of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/276,972, filed Sep. 18, 2009, both of which applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to bridge platforms or other scaffolding. More particularly, the present invention relates to scaffolding wherein panels are supported by cables which are attached at their ends to bridge or other structure. Such a platform or scaffolding is illustrated in my prior U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,523,644; 6,386,319; 6,302,237; 6,264,002; 6,227,331; 6,138,793; 6,135,240; 6,003,634; 5,921,346; and 5,730,248, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0003]    Such a platform structure requires that the cables, which pass underneath and support the panels, be securely connected releasably to the panels. One such connector which has served this function well is illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 10 to 15 of my aforesaid U.S. Pat. No. 6,135,240 and in FIGS. 15 to 17 of my aforesaid U.S. Pat. No. 6,523,644, wherein the connector comprises a plate which engages the upper surface of a panel, and a generally U-shaped member which is attached to the plate to extend downwardly therefrom to be received in a panel opening and to receive the cable. The free end of the member is threadedly attached to another plate wherein the two plates generally cover the opening with the cable securely received within (between the legs of) the U-shaped member, as more fully described in my aforesaid U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,135,240 and 6,523,644. 
         [0004]    My prior U.S. Pat. No. 6,264,002 (see FIG. 21 thereof) discloses a Panel-cable fastener, which also works well, wherein an arcuate member is received in a panel opening, receives the cable, and bears against the under surface of the panel, and a lever is rotatably connected to the arcuate member to bear against the upper surface of the panel to secure the connection of the cable to the panel. 
         [0005]    Other art which may also be of interest includes U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,957,239; 6,568,874; 6,755,590; 6,860,672; 4,348,128; 4,525,096; 5,119,529; 6,948,703; and 5,409,339 all of which along with other patents and published applications discussed herein are incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0006]    While the above-discussed connector in my aforesaid U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,135,240 and 6,523,644 has served well, nevertheless it requires two parts to be assembled as well as a nut which must be screwed onto the free end of the member, i.e., a total of three separate parts as well as an electric or other wrench for applying the nut sufficiently tight. Likewise, the connector of my aforesaid U.S. Pat. No. 6,264,002 requires two parts to be assembled as well as a pin (or nut and bolt) for added safety, a total of two or more separate parts. There thus exists a long-felt need for a self-contained panel to cable connector, i.e., wherein all of the needed parts are permanently interconnected so that they are not lost one from the other. 
         [0007]    While the above-discussed connector in my aforesaid U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,135,240 and 6,523,644 has served well, nevertheless when the corners of four overlapping panels  22  are all together being attached to a cable  24 , the connector of my aforesaid U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,135,240 and 6,523,644, illustrated at  400  in  FIG. 37 , affords minimal clearance, as seen in  FIG. 37 , with the result that it is often difficult to receive the cable  24  within the U-shaped member  402 . But the cable must be tightly held necessitating that it not be too large. There thus exists a long-felt need for a panel to cable connector which, while tightly holding a cable attached to a panel, affords greater clearance for more easily achieving the attachment, particularly when it is necessary to attach as many as four overlapping panels to the cable. 
         [0008]    It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a connector which is easier and quicker to install. 
         [0009]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a connector wherein all the parts are self-contained, i.e., wherein all of the needed parts are permanently interconnected so that they are not lost one from the other. 
         [0010]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a connector which is quicker to install. 
         [0011]    In order to provide such a connector which is easier to install and thus satisfies the long-felt need, in accordance with the present invention, the U-shaped member is provided with a neck portion to afford greater access to receive the cable, as illustrated in  FIGS. 14 to 36 and 38  of the appended drawings and as more particularly discussed hereinafter. 
         [0012]    In order to provide such a connector wherein all the parts are self-contained and thus satisfies the long-felt need, in accordance with the present invention, all of the essential connector parts (with the exception of pins and the like which are staple items of commerce) are assembled so as to be inseparable, as more particularly discussed hereinafter. Preferably, even the parts which are staple items of commerce are also inseparable from the other parts of the connector. 
         [0013]    The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention as well as an appreciation of the long-felt needs out of which the present invention arose will be apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment(s) thereof when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein the same reference numerals denote the same or similar parts throughout the several views. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a connector, which embodies the present invention, connecting a supportive cable to a panel of a platform. 
           [0015]      FIGS. 2 and 3  are elevation and perspective views respectively illustrating a sequence of connecting the cable to the panel. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a plan view of the connector as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is an elevation view of the connector as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a plan view of a first plate and attached generally U-shaped member of the connector. 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is an elevation view of the first plate and attached generally U-shaped member. 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is a plan view of a second plate (including attachments thereto) of the connector. 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  is an elevation view of the second plate (including attachments thereto). 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  is a plan view of a wedge for the connector. 
           [0023]      FIG. 11  is an elevation view of the wedge. 
           [0024]      FIG. 12  is an end view of the wedge, taken along lines  12 - 12  of  FIG. 11 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 13  is a sectional view of the connector taken along lines  13 - 13  in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a connector in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention, illustrated in a closed position. 
           [0027]      FIG. 15  is an enlarged partial perspective view of the connector of  FIG. 14 , illustrated in the closed position. 
           [0028]      FIG. 16  is a plan view of the connector of  FIG. 14 , illustrated in the closed position. 
           [0029]      FIG. 17  is a side view of the connector of  FIG. 14 , illustrated in the closed position attaching a cable to a deck panel. 
           [0030]      FIG. 18  is a side view of the connector of  FIG. 14 , illustrated in an open position. 
           [0031]      FIG. 19  is a side view of the connector of  FIG. 14 , illustrated in an open position and illustrating the use of a tool for manipulating the connector to the closed position in a first step. 
           [0032]      FIG. 20  is a side view of the connector of  FIG. 14 , illustrating the use of the tool for manipulating the connector to the closed position in a second step. 
           [0033]      FIGS. 21 to 25  are views similar to those of  FIGS. 14 to 18  of a connector in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0034]      FIG. 26  is a perspective view of the connector of  FIGS. 21 to 25 , shown in an open position. 
           [0035]      FIGS. 27 to 31  are views similar to those of  FIGS. 14 to 18  of a connector in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0036]      FIG. 32  is a perspective view of a connector in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, illustrated in a closed position. 
           [0037]      FIG. 33  is a side view of the connector of  FIG. 32 . 
           [0038]      FIG. 34  is a perspective view of a plate (with attached U-shaped member portion) of the connector of  FIG. 32 . 
           [0039]      FIG. 35  is a side view of the plate (with attached U-shaped member portion) of  FIG. 34 . 
           [0040]      FIG. 36  is a plan view of another plate of the connector of  FIG. 32 . 
           [0041]      FIG. 37  is a schematic view of a prior art connector in the process of attaching a cable to four deck panels. 
           [0042]      FIG. 38  is a schematic view of the connector in accordance with the present invention ( FIGS. 14 to 36 ) in the process of attaching a cable to four deck panels. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0043]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 13 , there is illustrated generally at  20  a connector or deck clip composed or steel or other suitable material for connecting a platform panel  22  to an underlying supportive cable  24 . It should be understood that the panel  22  is one of a series of panels laid side-by-side and/or end-to-end to form a platform for conducting maintenance work on a bridge or to otherwise form a scaffolding platform, and the cable  24  is one of a series of parallel cables which underlie and support the panels  22  and the ends of which are secured to portions of the bridge or other structural portions or otherwise suitably secured, as described in more detail in my aforesaid patents. One or more openings or slots, one illustrated at  26 , are provided in the panel  22  for use in connecting the panel  22  to the cable  24 , as will be described in greater detail hereinafter. 
         [0044]    The connector  20  includes first and second plates  28  and  30  respectively which are sized to together overlie and extend beyond the slot  26  lengthwise, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 3 . A generally U-shaped or generally arcuate (or otherwise suitably shaped) member  32  is welded or otherwise suitably attached to the first plate  28  to be received within the slot  26  for receiving the cable  24  in the cradle, illustrated at  34 , between the legs  36  and  38  thereof, the leg  36  being the one which is attached to the first plate  28 . Since the panel  22  may overlap with 1 to 3 other panels, there may be from 1 to 4 such slots  26  in which the member  32  is received for attaching 1 to 4 panels  22  respectively to the cable  24 , only one such slot  26  being illustrated for ease of illustration. The slot  26  is sized to allow the U-shaped member  32  to be manipulated into position with the leg  38  extending below the panel  22  suitably to allow the underlying cable  24  to be received within the cradle  34  and then, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , to allow the terminal end portion  40  to extend above the panel  22  in position for securing the connector with the cable  24  securely received between the cradle  34  and the one or both of the plates  28  and  30  (for example, as illustrated, between the cradle  34  and the second plate  30 ). 
         [0045]    A pair of vertical plates  42  are welded or otherwise suitably attached to the first plate  28  (i.e., normal to the first plate  28 ) along the lateral edges thereof and adjacent the end which faces the second plate  30 . As illustrated, each of the plates  42  is shown to comprise two plates  45  and  46  welded together, but may suitably comprise a single plate. By “horizontal” and “vertical,” as used herein and in the claims, is meant orientation with reference to the normal position of the connector when connecting a cable to a panel as shown in  FIG. 1  with the plates  28  and  30  lying horizontally on the horizontally disposed panel  22 . The plates  42  have aligned (coaxial) apertures, illustrated at  44 . 
         [0046]    A pair of vertical plates  48  are welded or otherwise suitably attached to the second plate  30  (i.e., normal to the second plate  30 ) spaced inwardly from the lateral edges thereof by a distance equal approximately to the width of the respective vertical plate  42  and adjacent and extending beyond the end which faces the first plate  28  so as to lie in an overlapping relation therewith. The plates  48 , similarly as plates  42 , have aligned (coaxial) apertures, illustrated at  50 . 
         [0047]    On each side of the connector  20 , a hinge pin  52  is suitably received in the respective aperture  44  and the respective aperture  50  to thereby hingedly connect the first and second plates  28  and  30  thus allowing hinged movement of plate  30  with respect to plate  28 , as illustrated at  54  in  FIG. 2 , from its position illustrated in  FIG. 2  to its position illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . It should be understood that the plates  28  and  30  may be otherwise suitably hingedly connected. 
         [0048]    The slot  26  is suitably sized to allow the position of the U-shaped member  32  to be suitably manipulated to a position of the terminal end portion  40  below the panel  22  suitably to receive the cable  24  within the cradle  34  followed by raising the terminal end portion  40  so that it extends above the panel  22 . In order to achieve this manipulation, for example, the connector plates  28  and  30  may each have a width of about 1½ inches and a thickness of about ⅛ inch, the slot  26  may have a width of about ¾ inch and a length of about 6 inches, and the connector plates  28  and  30  may have lengths of, for example, about 5 inches and about 4⅛ inches respectively. Although the slot  26  appears schematically in  FIGS. 1 and 3  as well as in other FIGS. herein to extend width-wise beyond edges of the plates  28  and  30  (or other plates) for ease of illustration, the position width-wise of the slot  26  is more clearly shown in  FIG. 6 . Once the cable  24  is received in the cradle  34  and the terminal end portion  40  manipulated to the position illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 3  wherein it extends above the panel  22 , the second plate  30  is hingedly swung downwardly, as illustrated at  54 , and the terminal end portion  40  caused to be received in an aperture, illustrated at  56 , suitably positioned in the second plate  30 , the second plate  30  being positioned co-planar with first plate  28  to rest on the panel  22  and together overlie the slot  26  longitudinally as well as completely or partially overlying the slot  26  laterally or width-wise. The adjacent end edges of the plates  28  and  30  meet or engage each other to prevent further movement of the plate  30  in the direction  54  relative to the plate  28 . 
         [0049]    The U-shaped portion  32 , except as specified hereinafter, is generally circular, having a diameter, illustrated at  58  in  FIG. 13 , which is, for example, about ½ inch. The cross-sectional dimensions are reduced so that terminal end portion  40  has a generally rectangular cross-section, the width laterally, illustrated at  60  in  FIG. 13 , being, for example, about ¼ inch, and the width longitudinally, illustrated at  62  in  FIG. 5 , being, for example, about ⅜ inch. The terminal end portion  40  terminates in a generally circular (with the side tapered, as illustrated at  64  in  FIG. 5 ) cap portion  66  whose diameter, illustrated at  67  in  FIG. 5 , is equal approximately to the width  62 , thus providing lateral overhanging ledges  68  having a width of, for example, about 1/16 inch. 
         [0050]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the U-shaped portion  32  is secured in position by a wedge  70  comprising a pair of elongate generally parallel walls  72  joined by end walls  74  and  75  at their ends respectively by welding or by other suitable means and having a width to allow its receipt with substantial clearance between the vertical plates  48 , as seen in  FIG. 4 . The bottom surfaces (which engage or lie on the plates  28  and  30 ), illustrated at  76  for walls  72 , are flat. The upper surfaces  78  of the walls  72  are similarly tapered as follows. An end portion  80  of each of the surfaces  78  is generally flat, and the other end portion  82  of each of the surfaces  78  is tapered upwardly (the walls  72  are tapered upwardly so that height of the wedge  70  increases, at an angle, illustrated at  83  in  FIG. 11  of, for example, about 12 degrees) over the distance from the flat portion  80  to the end thereof (with the surfaces  78  becoming flatter near the wedge end. The walls  72  are spaced, for example, about 5/16 inch, to receive the terminal end portion  40  therebetween while also being able to engage the ledges  68 . As the wedge  70  is moved in the direction illustrated at  82  in FIG.  3  to its position as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , it more and more tightly wedges between the ledges  68  and the plate  30  to tightly hold the terminal end portion  40  in position. At the end of the wedge, the cap portion  66  is received in recesses, illustrated at  84 , in the surfaces  78  to lock the wedge in the wedged position. 
         [0051]    The distance, illustrated at  86 , between the facing inner surfaces  88  of the portion of the wedge  70  containing the flat surface portions  80  is enlarged to, for example, about ½ inch to provide an opening  90  sufficiently large to allow the wedge  70  to be removed from the terminal end portion  40 , as seen in  FIG. 2 , to permit the hinged movement  54  of the second plate  30  relative to the first plate  28 . It should be understood that the wedge  70  may be otherwise suitably sized and shaped to achieve the desired wedging effect. 
         [0052]    As a safeguard, the wedge  70  is provided to generally retain the position of the terminal end portion  40  as long as the terminal end portion  40  is not removed through the opening  90 . Thus, the wedge  70  is provided to generally retain the terminal end portion  40  position when in the position shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . 
         [0053]    When erecting or dismantling platforms, it is considered desirable not to allow connector components to be able to become separated from each other. In order to prevent the wedge  70  from becoming separated, as seen in  FIG. 2 , a T-shaped member  92  having a rod-shaped portion  94  is preferably welded (or otherwise suitably attached such as by a tight threaded connection) to the second plate  30  generally centrally thereof to extend upwardly therefrom and the central portion of a cross member  96  (also rod-shaped) preferably welded (or otherwise suitably attached such as by a tight threaded connection) to the upper end of the portion  94  to extend laterally of the connector  20  between the upper end corners, illustrated at  98 , and closely adjacent thereto to. Thus, as apparent from  FIGS. 1 to 3 , while the wedge  70  may not be attached or even touch the rest of the connector assembly  20 , it nevertheless is inseparable therefrom during normal use of attaching and detaching the panel  22  from the cable  24 , although it may of course be separated therefrom by the use of extraordinary efforts, such as by cutting or otherwise dismantling the T-shaped member  92  from the connector, for other purposes such as maintenance or repair. Thus, while the wedge  70  is detachable from and may not even touch the terminal end portion  40  and the remainder of the connector assembly  20 , it nevertheless is not inseparable therefrom during normal use of the connector  20  since it cannot be moved away from close proximity thereto. Moreover, it can be seen that all of the other connector parts are also inseparable from each other, although they may also be disassembled for purposes such as maintenance or repair. 
         [0054]    As used herein and in the claims, the terms “attached” and “attachable,” or variants thereof, with respect to two or more parts, refer to and are defined as a fastening of the parts in such a manner that they are fixed firmly in direct contact with each other. As used herein and in the claims, the term “inseparable,” or variants thereof, with respect to two or more parts, is defined as parts which, during normal use for their intended purpose, cannot be parted from close proximity to each other, whether or not they are attached or attachable or in contact or touching each other. The term “connected,” or variants thereof, has the normal meaning as defined in a dictionary. Thus, in accordance with the above definitions, two or more parts may be detachably attached during normal use but not be inseparable, and two or more parts may be inseparable but not be attached, and two or more parts may be both detachably attachable and inseparable. Also in accordance with the above definitions, two or more parts may be assembled to be inseparable and disassembled to be separated, and while they are assembled to be inseparable while being used for their intended purpose, they are inseparable, as that term is defined, even though they may later be disassembled to be separated for other purposes such as for maintenance or repair. For example, a pair of rings may be inseparable in that each passes within the other, yet the rings are unattached (as that term is used herein) in that the rings are not fixed firmly in direct contact with each other (they may or may not be in contact with each other). Thus, as is apparent from  FIGS. 1 to 3 , the wedge  70  may be positioned so as not to touch any of the parts which constitute the rest of the connector  20  (i.e., unattached thereto) yet be inseparable therefrom. 
         [0055]    In order to connect the panel  22  to the cable  24 , with the second plate  30  hingedly moved to the position shown in  FIG. 2 , the first plate  28  is manipulated to effect passage of the U-shaped member  32  into the slot  26  and receipt of the cable  24  in the cradle  34 , then the second plate  30  is hingedly moved, as illustrated at  54  in  FIG. 2 , and the terminal end portion  40  received in passage  90  and between the wedge walls  72 . The wedge  70  is then moved in the direction illustrated in  68  in  FIG. 3  to wedge the wedge  70  between the ledges  68  and the second plate  30 . In order to lock the wedge  70  in position, the wedge is positioned as in  FIG. 3 , and the wedge end wall  75  may be tapped with a hammer to position the ledges  68  in the recesses  84 . In order to dismantle the connector  20 , the other end wall  74  is tapped with a hammer and the wedge  70  manipulated to remove it from the terminal end portion  40  by passing the terminal end portion  40  through the opening  90 , then the second member moved as illustrated at  54  to the position shown in  FIG. 2  after which the first plate may be manipulated to remove the cable  24  and thereafter remove the connector  20  from the opening  26 . This can all be done easily and quickly. Since all of the connector parts including the wedge  70  are inseparable from each other, this can all be done without fear of losing any connector parts. 
         [0056]    Referring to  FIG. 38 , there is illustrated at  410  a connector member having a portion  412  and a U-shaped or generally arcuate portion  414 . The portion  414  is provided to extend (be translated) through the slots (not shown in  FIG. 38 ) in four deck panels  22  and to be swung around as illustrated at  117  to receive the cable  24  therein for attachment of the cable  24  to the panels  22  as more particularly discussed hereinafter with respect to  FIGS. 14 to 36 . In order to provide greater access of the U-shaped portion  414  to the cable  24  for easier as well as quicker attachment, in accordance with the present invention, the connector member  410  is provided with a neck portion, illustrated at  416  in the embodiments thereof in  FIGS. 14 to 31  as well as generically in  FIG. 38  and at  516  in the embodiment of  FIGS. 31 to 36 . The greater access of U-shaped portion  414  ( 452  in  FIG. 31 to 36 or 114 ) with the neck portion  416  ( 516  in  FIGS. 31 to 36 ) to the cable is best seen when comparing the access provided by the generic connector embodiment  410  of  FIG. 38  with the neck portion  416  with the lesser access provided by the prior art connector embodiment  400  and  402  of  FIG. 37  without such a neck portion. Thus, the neck portion  416 , having the length illustrated at  417 , is provided to suspend the U-shaped portion  414  at the increased distance  417  below the deck panels  22  so that easier and quicker manipulation of the connector to effect connection of the cable  24  may be achieved. 
         [0057]    The distance, illustrated at  417  in  FIGS. 18 and 38  (as well as in  FIGS. 24, 25, 30, 31, and 35  for other embodiments), defines the neck portion  416  which, as previously discussed, is provided to afford greater access to the cable  24  for more easily and quickly connecting it to the panel or panels  22 . The neck portion  416  is provided to suspend the U-shaped portion at a distance below the deck panels so that such greater access may be achieved. This distance or neck portion length  417  can be as long as is needed to provide suitable access, such as about 1 inch, for example, about ½ inch. Preferably, the neck has a round (rather than flat) cross-section, which is stronger. For the purposes of this specification and the claims, a “neck portion” is defined as a portion which attaches the arcuate portion which receives a cable to the portion which remains lying along or over the panel and which is passable through a slot in another part or plate overlying the panel to increase the distance below the another part or plate to which the arcuate portion is suspended and which lies along or over the panel when the cable has been attached. Thus, the neck portion is generally perpendicular to the arcuate portion leg to which it is attached and extends from an edge of the other portion to which it is attached in a direction length-wise of the other portion, as seen at  417  in  FIG. 35 , and this is meant to be the length-wise direction even if the portion  426  is shortened from the length shown in  FIG. 35  so that its length becomes its width. The neck portion  416  has a thickness or diameter which is preferably substantially equal to or less (but may be larger) than the corresponding thickness or diameter of the U-shaped portion to which it is attached. For the purposes of this specification and the claims, a “U-shaped” portion is defined as a portion of a structure which is arcuately formed or otherwise formed to, as a portion of the structure, be able to extend from the level of a deck panel downwardly then upwardly to the level of the deck panel in a manner to be able to receive a cable within the U-shaped portion (or between downwardly and upwardly extending legs thereof) for connecting of the cable to the deck panel. 
         [0058]    Referring to  FIGS. 14 to 20 , there is shown generally at  100  a connector in accordance with an alternative embodiment, which includes the neck portion  416 . Unless otherwise specified herein, the parts of the connector  100  as well as connector  20  are composed of steel or other suitable material. The connector  100  includes a first part  102  in the form of a generally flat rectangular plate desirably rounded at the corners and sized to lie on and engage the top of a panel  22  to which a supporting cable  24  is attached or to be attached and to cover or partially cover an opening  26  in the panel  22  which is used to make the connection. The plate  102  has two longitudinally spaced slots or openings, illustrated at  104  and  106 , whose purposes will be hereinafter described. It will be apparent that an embodiment can be envisioned wherein a long slot may be provided which includes both of these slots  104  and  106 . Accordingly, these slots  104  and  106  as well as other similar pairs of slots or apertures disclosed herein are collectively referred to herein and in the claims as slot means. 
         [0059]    Connector  100  also includes a second part  108  in the form of a generally flat plate, desirably rounded as suitable at corners such as at  110 , which is received in slot  104  to lie generally normal to plate  102 . The plate  108  has a generally rectangular first portion  112 , the neck portion  416  (defined by distance  417  in  FIG. 18 ) and a generally arcuate, U-shaped, or otherwise suitably shaped second portion  114  extending from an end of neck portion  416  and terminating in a terminal free end portion  116 . The planes of planar plates  102  and  108  are seen (best seen in  FIG. 14 ) as being normal to each other. As hereinafter, a pivot connection, illustrated at  122 , of the plates  102  and  108  defines an end of the first portion  112  and beginning of the neck portion  416 , the pivot connection  122  allowing the neck portion  416  to pivotally extend below the first plate  102  as best seen in  FIG. 18 , thereby suspending the arcuate portion  114  by the distance  417  so that the cable  24  may be more easily received or cradled by the arcuate portion  114  for easier attachment of the panel or panels  22  to the cable  24 . 
         [0060]    The first portion  112  is sized so that its terminal end portion  118  extends beyond the respective end of the slot  104  so that it rests on the plate  102  when the connector  100  is in the closed position illustrated in  FIGS. 14 to 17 . Material may be selectively removed as at  119  or otherwise as appropriate to lighten the connector. 
         [0061]    These plates or parts  102  and  108  are detachably attachable to each other, as discussed hereinafter, to attach the panel  22  to the underlying supporting cable  24 . However, it is considered desirable that the parts  102  and  108  (as well as any other parts making up the connector) not become separated/lost from each other when they are detached. In order to make all of the connector  100  (especially the essential parts thereof) self-contained, i.e., wherein all of the needed or essential parts and especially parts  102  and  108  remain together (even while they are detached) so that they are not lost, the parts  102  and  108  are assembled so that they are inseparable, and other parts discussed hereinafter are also preferably inseparable from the connector  100 , during their normal use of attaching and detaching the panel  22  from the cable  24 , as discussed hereinafter. 
         [0062]    Longitudinally spaced from the end portion  118  is an aperture, illustrated at  120 , in the first portion  112  in which is received a cylindrical pin  122  which thusly extends normal to the first portion  112  so that it can lie on and engage the plate  102 . The pin  122  is welded as by welds  123  (illustrated in only some of the drawings) to the first plate  102  or otherwise suitably attached thereto. For example, the pin  122  may be alternatively attached to plate  102  by a mounting bracket on each side of the slot  104  and by cotter pins to be received in end portions of the pin  122  to retain the pin  122  fixedly attached, but wherein it is removable for purposes of repair or maintenance, though not removable during normal use of the connector  100 . The pin  122  thus generally serves as a fulcrum or pivotal attachment for rotation or pivoting of the second plate  108  thereabout, as illustrated at  124  in  FIGS. 18 and 19 . The slots  104  and  106  are preferably located centrally or midway between the sides of the first plate  102  (but may otherwise be located suitably intermediate thereof), and the pin length is preferably about the same as the width of the first plate  102  and preferably received in the aperture  120  so that it extends across the width of the first plate  102  so that it suitably supports the second plate  108  thereon. 
         [0063]    The pin  122  is received preferably centrally of the width, illustrated at  126 , of the first portion  112 , and the width  126  is preferably such as to allow a portion  128  of the first portion  112  to be received within the slot  104  and extend slightly below the slot  104  when the connector  100  is in a closed position, as illustrated in  FIG. 17 , to thereby add stability to the connector  100  when in the closed position. A notch, illustrated at  130 , is preferably provided in the lower edge of the terminal end portion  118  to allow the terminal end portion  118  to rest on the upper surface of the first plate  102  when the connector  100  is in the closed position. 
         [0064]    The length and width, illustrated at  105  and  107  respectively in  FIGS. 16, 18, and 26 , of the slot  104  are, for example, about 2¼ and 3/16 inches respectively. 
         [0065]    The second plate  108  is suitably shaped so that, when the connector  100  is in the closed position illustrated in  FIG. 17 , the arcuate or U-shaped or otherwise suitably shaped second portion  114 , having preferably a uniform width as well as thickness, extends downwardly from the first portion  112  below the first plate  102  then upwardly with the terminal end portion  116  thereof extending through the slot  106 , thereby to connectively capture the cable  24 , as illustrated in  FIG. 17 . 
         [0066]    The terminal free end portion  116  has a plurality of, for example, 4 longitudinally spaced grooves or indents or slots or cutouts, illustrated at  132 , in its outer edge adjacent its terminal end which define a plurality of, for example, 3 longitudinally spaced teeth  134 . 
         [0067]    A pair of upstanding outwardly sloping generally flat members  136  are welded or otherwise suitably attached to the first plate  102  with their lower edge portions received in recesses, illustrated at  138 , in the longitudinal edges of the plate  102 . Each of these members  136  has a generally elongate aperture or opening, illustrated at  140 , rounded at the ends, which slopes upwardly at an angle, illustrated at  142 , which is preferably between about 30 and 60 degrees, for example, 57 degrees. A cylindrical member  144  is received in both of the openings  140 , and enlarged heads  146  (large enough to not pass through the respective opening  140 ) are received on the ends of the member  144  so that the member is inseparable from the members  136  yet is free to move upwardly and downwardly in the openings  140 . For example, the cylindrical member  144  and one of the heads  146  may be a bolt, and the other head  146  may be a nut threadedly and tightly received on the bolt and, if desired, welded thereto. The openings  140  are generally aligned with the first plate opening  106 . 
         [0068]    The cylindrical member or pin  144  (being moved outwardly or generally in a direction away from the terminal end portion  116  as it is moved upwardly) is accordingly generally moved out of the way as the terminal end portion  116  is moved upwardly through the opening  106  (the second plate  108  rotated as appropriate about pin or fulcrum  122 ). However, like a fish-hook, the cylindrical member or pin  144  is urged inwardly into a groove  132  as it is urged downwardly by gravity to settle into a groove  132 , creating a pinching effect to thereby lock or retain the terminal end portion  116  in the opening  106  and thus lock or retain the connector  100  in the closed position illustrated in  FIGS. 14 to 17 , whereby the supporting cable  24  is connected to the panel  22 . In order to release the terminal end portion  116  for movement out of the opening  106  to a connector open position such as illustrated in  FIG. 18 , the cylindrical member  144  is pulled upwardly in the openings  140  so as to be moved outwardly of the grooves  132  and held there thereby allowing the terminal end portion  116  to be moved downwardly out of the opening  106 . 
         [0069]    The first portion  118  of the second plate  108  has a generally square or otherwise suitably shaped upwardly extending portion  148  adjacent the second portion  114 . This portion  148  has an upwardly sloping notch, illustrated at  150 , in its inner edge (edge facing away from the second portion  114 ). 
         [0070]    The terminal free end portion  116  has a generally parallelogram-shaped upwardly extending notch, illustrated at  152 , in its inner edge (opposite the grooves  132 ) adjacent its terminal end. 
         [0071]    Referring to  FIGS. 19 and 20 , in order to provide suitable leverage for manipulating the second plate  108  from the open to closed positions, a crow-bar like tool, illustrated schematically at  154 , is provided wherein the terminal end of a portion  156  is received in the notch  150  and wherein, with the tool  154  bearing against the first portion  118  of the second plate  108 , force is applied, as illustrated at  158 , to another tool portion  160  to rotate the second plate  108  for movement of or to pry the terminal end portion  116  into the opening  106 . 
         [0072]    When the terminal end portion  116  is moved far enough into the opening  106  for the notch  152  to be above the first plate  102  and accessible to the tool  154 , as illustrated in  FIG. 20 , the terminal end of tool portion  156  is inserted in the notch  152  and, with the tool  154  bearing against the first plate  102 , force is applied, as illustrated at  162 , to tool portion  160  to rotate the second plate  108  further for movement of the terminal end portion  116  further upwardly, capturing the cylindrical member  144  in a groove  132  to lockingly effectuate a tight connection. 
         [0073]    The tool  154  may be similarly used for moving the second plate  108  into position for connecting the panel  22  to the cable  24  in the embodiments (hereinafter discussed) of  FIGS. 21 to 25  and of  FIGS. 26 to 30 . 
         [0074]    Referring to  FIGS. 21 to 26 , there is illustrated generally at  200  a connector having an alternative structure  202  for lockingly retaining the terminal end portion  116  in position connecting the panel  22  to the cable  24 . With the exception of the structure  202 , the connector  200  is similar to the connector  100 . 
         [0075]    Structure  202  includes a pair of upstanding outwardly sloping generally flat members  204 , which are similar to members  136  and similarly welded or otherwise suitably attached to the first plate  102 . Flat members  204  have aligned apertures, illustrated at  206 , in which are rotatably received (by means of suitably bearings or otherwise as suitable) a shaft  208 . A gear wheel  210  is suitably fixedly received (such as by pins or set screws or other suitable fasteners) centrally on the rotatable shaft  208  and disposed between the flat members  204  for rotation. Alternatively, the shaft  208  may be suitably mounted non-rotatably in the apertures  208  and the gear wheel  210  suitably rotatably mounted on the shaft  208 . 
         [0076]    The gear wheel  210  has a plurality of gear teeth  212 , having suitably chamfered corners  214 , in its circumferential periphery around the circumference thereof. The gear wheel  210  is positioned so that the gear teeth  212  mate with and are received in the grooves  132  whereby the rotation of the gear wheel  210  is effected as the terminal end portion  116  is moved upwardly through the slot  106  for connecting the panel  22  to the cable  24 . 
         [0077]    When the terminal end portion  116  has been moved, as illustrated at  117  in  FIG. 26 , into a suitable position, such as shown in  FIGS. 21 to 24 , it is suitably locked in that position (the gear wheel  210  is prevented for rotating) such as by a pin  216  which is receivable in an aperture, illustrated at  218 , in one (or both) of the flat members  204  and in one of a series of circumferentially spaced alignable apertures (not shown) in the gear wheel  210 . These alignable apertures are preferably spaced entirely around the gear wheel  210  and are preferably equal and similarly spaced to the number of gear teeth  212  so that the gear wheel  210  may be locked in any of various incremental positions thereof. The pin  216  is preferably made inseparable from the other parts of the connector  200  by suitable means such as, for example, a suitable lanyard, illustrated schematically at  220 , suitably tied or connected at one end to the pin  216  and at the other end to the first plate  102 . The pin  216  may be suitably retained in the locking position by being pinched therein, but other suitable means (such as, for example, a threaded connection of the pin in an aperture  218  or in a gear wheel aperture) may be provided for securing the pin  216  in the locking position against inadvertent removal thereof. In order to remove the pin  216  and release the connection of the cable  24  to the panel  22 , the terminal end portion  116  may be pried upwardly slightly to release the pinching force, whereby the pin  216  may then be removed. The pin  216  may, for example, have an enlarged head (not shown) thereon to allow it to be grasped for removal. 
         [0078]    Referring to  FIGS. 27 to 31 , there is illustrated generally at  300  a connector having an alternative structure  302  (instead of members  136  and  144 ) for lockingly retaining the terminal end portion  116  in position connecting the panel  22  to the cable  24 . With the exception of the structure  202  (and elimination of members  136  and  144 ), the connector  300  is similar to the connector  100 . 
         [0079]    Structure  302  comprises a generally horseshoe-shaped flat member  304  including a portion  314  having a thickness, illustrated at  306 , and further including an enlarged thickness (or increased height) handle portion  308 . A groove, illustrated at  310 , is provided in its inner edge (opposite the handle  308 ), defining a pair of spaced prongs  312 . The thickness  306  is less than the width of a groove  132  so that the portion  314  is receivable like a wedge between a pair of the teeth  134 . The width, illustrated at  316 , of the groove  310  is greater than the thickness, illustrated at  318 , of the terminal end portion  116  so that the wedge member  304  can be moved into the position illustrated in  FIGS. 26 to 29  with the prongs  312  securely straddling the terminal end portion  116  and with the portion  314  received between a pair of the teeth  134  so that the position of the terminal end portion  116  is securely maintained with the member  304  pinched between a tooth  134  and the plate  102 . In order to remove the member  304  to disconnect the panel  22  from the cable  24 , the pinching force is relieved by pulling or prying up slightly the terminal end portion  116 . The member  304  is preferably made inseparable from the other parts of the connector  300  by suitable means such as, for example, a suitable lanyard, illustrated schematically at  320 , suitably tied or connected at one end to the member  304  and at the other end to the first plate  102  or, for another example, a suitable slider/track built into the first plate  102  which non-removably receives the wedge  304 , with a manual lock at the engaged position. 
         [0080]    As used herein and in the claims, the phrase “consisting essentially of a plurality of parts” is intended to refer to all of the parts making up the connector, with the exception of any parts not needed for connector function and with the exception of parts such as pin  216  ( FIG. 21 ) or wedge  302  ( FIG. 31 ) which are easily replaceable staple items of commerce. In this respect, the wedge  70  ( FIG. 1 ) would not normally be considered to be a staple item of commerce since it would normally be specially built for the connector. As may be used herein and in the claims, the phrase “consisting of a plurality of parts” is intended to refer to all of the parts making up the connector, which would include items such as pin  216  ( FIG. 21 ) or wedge  302 , with the exception of any parts not needed for connector function. In accordance with the present invention, all of the connector parts (with possibly the above exception, wherein a workman may carry, for example, spare pins  216  around in his pocket) are assembled so that they are not lost one from the other as work is being performed high on bridge platforms or other scaffolding. 
         [0081]    Referring to  FIGS. 32 to 36 , there is illustrated generally at  420  an alternative embodiment of a connector with the neck portion  416  to provide greater access to the cable  24  for attaching it to one or more deck panels  22  so that the attachment may be performed more easily and quickly. While only one deck panel  22  is shown in  FIGS. 32 and 33  for ease of illustration, it should of course be understood that a plurality such as 4 such deck panels may be connected to a cable  24 , such as illustrated in  FIG. 38 . 
         [0082]    The connector  420 , composed of steel or other suitable material, comprises first and second parts  424  and  422  respectively which include generally rectangular flat plates  428  and  426  respectively which, when in position attaching cable  24  to the deck panels  22 , abut along edges  432  and  430  respectively to together overlie (preferably both width-wise and length-wise) the deck panel opening  26 . For uniformity, the plates  426  and  428  are preferably of the same thickness and width, which may, for example, be about ¼ inch and about 1½ inch respectively. First and second plates  428  and  426  respectively may have lengths of, for example, about 3 inches and about 1½ inch respectively. First plate  428  may have a width and length of, for example, about 3 inches and about 6½ inches respectively. 
         [0083]    When in position attaching the cable  24  to the deck panels  22 , as seen in  FIGS. 32 and 33 , the first and second plates  428  and  426  respectively have end edges  432  and  430  respectively which abut and face each other. Each of the first and second plates  428  and  426  respectively has a slot or notch, illustrated at  436  and  434  respectively centrally of its facing edge  432  and  430  respectively so that the notches are in alignment, notch  436  being rectangular and notch  434  being generally rectangular with a domed inner end. Each notch  434  and  436  may have a length of, for example, about 1 inch. Notches  434  and  436  may have widths of, for example, about 9/16 inch and about ⅝ inch respectively. 
         [0084]    A rectangular plate  438  is welded or otherwise suitably attached to the upper surface of first plate  428  and extends beyond the facing edge  432  in order to provide a seal against debris falling through cracks. First plate  428  has an aperture, illustrated at  440 , centrally of the width thereof. The aperture  440  may have a diameter of, for example, about 9/16 inch, and its center may be located from notch  436  a distance of, for example, about 1¾ inch. 
         [0085]    Second part  422  includes a U-shaped or generally arcuate portion  452  (corresponds to portion  414  in  FIG. 38 ) sized and shaped and attachable to plate portion  426  (as discussed hereinafter) to be translatable through and to extend downwardly from the deck panel slots  26  then upwardly with its terminal end portion  444 , which is threaded as illustrated by threads  446 , passing through aperture  440 . The U-shaped portion  442  is sized to receive cable  24  between the U-shaped portion  442  (i.e., cradled between the legs  460  and  462  thereof) and the second plate  428 . A suitable nut  448  (for example, a ½ inch hex full nut) is suitably applied to the threads  444  of the threaded terminal end portion  456  thereby to securely attach the cable  24  to the deck panels  22 . 
         [0086]    While the neck portion  416  could be formed as part of the plate portion  426  by notching corners at one end of the plate portion  426  to form a reduced width portion to serve as the neck portion, it is preferred that the neck portion  416  be formed as described below (formed of round bar or otherwise formed to be circular in cross-section) in order to provide greater strength. 
         [0087]    The neck portion  416  (defined by the length  417  in  FIG. 34 ) is part of a longer portion which is interposed between and attaches the U-shaped portion  442  to the first plate portion  426 , as discussed hereinafter. Thus, an extension portion  464 , having the same diameter as neck portion  416 , extends from the neck portion  416  to extend to and abut the inner end of the notch  434  where it is fixedly attached such as by welding. The portions  416 ,  442 , and  464  may be composed, for example, of ½ inch round bar wherein these portions are welded together as at welds illustrated at  450 . Thus a U-shaped portion  452  may, for example, be bent to be radiused at 1½ inch and one end welded to portion  454  (for example, radiused at ¼ inch) and the other end welded to threaded terminal end portion  456  (which may have a length, for example, of 1½ inch). The portion  454  may be welded to the portion comprising portions  416  and  464 . It should of course be understood that these portions may be otherwise suitably sized and shaped in a manner which allows the neck portion  416  and the U-shaped portion  452  to be translated through the deck panel slots  26  (with the plate portion  426  having a width to prevent its passage therethrough and instead to allow it to cover the deck panel slots  26 ). 
         [0088]    The portion  416  extends generally perpendicular or normal to the leg  460  of the U-shaped portion  452 . The portion  464  may have a length of, for example, about 1 inch, and the neck portion length may, for example, be about ½ inch (or up to about 1 inch, as desired). Since the diameter of the combined extension and neck portions, as illustrated in  FIG. 35 , is about twice the thickness of the plate portion  426 , it can be seen in  FIGS. 33 and 35  that the lower part of the combined extension and neck portions  464  and  416  respectively extends below the plate portion  426 . When the plate portions are disposed in the connecting relationship shown in  FIGS. 32 and 33 , the neck portion  416  is received in the first plate slot  436 . Thus, the neck portion  416 , like the plate portion  426 , extends generally along or over the panel or panels  22  and is thus said to extend in a direction length-wise of the plate portion  426 . 
         [0089]    In order to attach the cable  24  to the deck panels  22 , the U-shaped and neck portions  452  (or  414 ) and  416  respectively of the second part  422  are passed (translated) downwardly through the deck panel openings  26 , as illustrated in  FIG. 38 , the neck portion  416  suspending the U-shaped portion  452  (or  414 ) below the deck panels  22  by the distance generally indicated at  417  thereby to make the connection easier and quicker. The second part  422  is manipulated to receive the cable  24  after which the terminal end portion  456  of the U-shaped portion  452  is inserted through the first plate aperture  440  and, with the plate portions  426  and  428  abutting and together overlying the deck panel openings  26 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 32 and 33 , the nut  448  applied thereby to easily and quickly secure the cable  24  to the deck panels  22 . The neck portion  416  of the embodiments of FIGS.  14  to  31  is also translatable through the deck panel openings to similarly suspend the corresponding U-shaped portion below the deck panels  22  by the distance generally indicated at  417  thereby to also make the connection easier and quicker. 
         [0090]    It should be understood that, while the present invention has been described in detail herein, the invention can be embodied otherwise without departing from the principles thereof. For example, there may be suitable alternative embodiments to structure  136 ,  144 ,  146  and structures  202  and  302  for locking the terminal end portion  116  position, and the neck portion  416  and U-shaped portion may be otherwise suitably embodied. For another example, a neck portion similar to neck portion  416  ( FIGS. 32 to 35 ) may be provided to connect the U-shaped portion  32  to the plate  28  of the connector  20  of  FIGS. 1 to 13  so that the U-shaped portion  32 , like the U-shaped portion  442 , may be suspended at a distance below the deck panels  22  to similarly make the connection easier and quicker. Such other embodiments are meant to come within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.