Patent Publication Number: US-2019195018-A1

Title: Strand grab and ladder including the same

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Field 
     The disclosed concept relates generally to ladders, and in particular, to a strand grab for use with a ladder. 
     Background Information 
     Safety is important when using ladders. When using a ladder in conjunction with a flat side of a building, leaning the ladder against the side of the building is generally considered safe enough for use. In other applications though, a flat surface may not be available to lean the ladder against. 
     Ladders are often used in applications where they are leaned against a strand such as a rope or wire. For example, ladders are often leaned against a strand of wire between two utility poles. The ladder can have a tendency to slide along the length of the strand. The strand itself may also move. Movement of the ladder or the strand can create an unsafe situation. As such, supplemental equipment should be used to secure the ladder to the strand so that it may be used safely. Any supplemental equipment that is employed should be practical and convenient to use. 
     Some solutions use a hook attached to a ladder to hook onto the strand in case the base of the ladder slides out or the strand deflects away from the ladder. However, the ladder still has the tendency to slide along the length of the strand. Additionally, a bouncing motion or a severe deflection could cause the strand to slide out from under the hook and allow the ladder to fall. There is room for improvement in equipment for securing ladders to strands. 
     SUMMARY 
     These needs and others are met by embodiments of the disclosed concept in which a strand grab for use with a ladder includes gate member and a jaw member that rotates upward with the gate member to grab a strand. 
     In accordance with aspects of the disclosed concept, a strand grab for use with a ladder comprises: a frame including a mounting portion and a hook portion having a first end attached to the mounting portion and extending in an arc shape to a second end; a gate member rotatably attached to the mounting portion of the frame at a first pivot; a jaw member rotatably attached to the mounting portion of the frame at a second pivot; a connector member coupled between the gate member and the jaw member, wherein the gate member is rotatable between a first position proximate the second end of the hook portion and a second position proximate the first end of the hook portion, wherein the gate member is structured to rotate from the first position toward the first end of the hook portion when the strand grab is lowered onto a strand such that the strand applies a force against the gate member, and wherein the gate member, the jaw member, and the connector member are operatively coupled such that when the gate member rotates toward the first end of the hook portion, the connector member causes the jaw member to rotate toward the first end of the hook portion. 
     In accordance with other aspects of the disclosed concept, a ladder comprises: a pair of rails; a pair of rungs extending between the rails; a mounting piece attached between the pair of rungs; and a strand grab rotatably attached to the mounting piece, the strand grab including: a frame including a mounting portion and a hook portion having a first end attached to the mounting portion and extending in an arc shape to a second end; a gate member rotatably attached to the mounting portion of the frame at a first pivot; a jaw member rotatably attached to the mounting portion of the frame at a second pivot; a connector member coupled between the gate member and the jaw member, wherein the gate member is rotatable between a first position proximate the second end of the hook portion and a second position proximate the first end of the hook portion, wherein the gate member is structured to rotate from the first position toward the first end of the hook portion when the strand grab is lowered onto a strand such that the strand applies a force against the gate member, and wherein the gate member, the jaw member, and the connector member are operatively coupled such that when the gate member rotates toward the first end of the hook portion, the connector member causes the jaw member to rotate toward the first end of the hook portion. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A full understanding of the disclosed concept can be gained from the following description of the preferred embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a view of a ladder with a strand grab in a deployed position in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept; 
         FIG. 2  is a view of a ladder with a strand grab in a stowed position in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept; 
         FIG. 3  is an isometric view of a strand grab in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept; 
         FIG. 4  is an elevation view of a strand grab with the frame hidden in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept; 
         FIG. 5  is an isometric view of a strand grab with the frame hidden in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept; 
         FIG. 6  is an elevation view of a strand grab with the gate member rotating upward in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept; 
         FIG. 7  is an elevation view of a strand grab with the gate member in the vertical position in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept; 
         FIG. 8  is an elevation view of a strand grab securing a small diameter strand in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept; 
         FIG. 9  is an elevation view of a strand grab securing a large diameter strand in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept; 
         FIG. 10  is an elevation view of a strand grab with the jaw member in a horizontal position and the frame hidden in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept; 
         FIG. 11  is an elevation view of a strand grab with the jaw member in a horizontal position and the frame shown in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept; 
         FIG. 12  is an isometric view of a strand grab secured to a strand in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept; 
         FIG. 13  is an isometric view of a strand grab in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept; 
         FIG. 14  is an isometric view of an alternative strand grab in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept; 
         FIG. 15  is an elevation view of the alternative strand grab of  FIG. 14  in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept; 
         FIG. 16  is an elevation view of an alternative strand grab while the gate member rotates upward in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept; 
         FIG. 17  is an elevation view of an alternative strand grab while the gate member is in the vertical position in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept; 
         FIG. 18  is an elevation view of an alternative strand grab securing a strand in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept; and 
         FIG. 19  is an elevation view of an alternative strand grab with a strand pushing down the jaw member in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Directional phrases used herein, such as, for example, left, right, front, back, top, bottom and derivatives thereof, relate to the orientation of the elements shown in the drawings and are not limiting upon the claims unless expressly recited therein. 
     As employed herein, the statement that two or more parts are “coupled” together shall mean that the parts are joined together either directly or joined through one or more intermediate parts. 
       FIG. 1  is a view of a ladder  10  with a strand grab  100  attached to its top portion in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept.  FIG. 2  is an additional view of the ladder  10  and the strand grab  100  of  FIG. 1 . A mounting piece  20  is attached to two adjacent rungs  12  of the ladder  10 . The strand grab  100  is rotatably attached to the mounting piece  20 . 
     In  FIG. 1 , the strand grab  100  is in a deployed position. In the deployed position, the strand grab  100  extends outward in a direction perpendicular with respect to the width of the ladder  10 , as is shown in  FIG. 1 . In  FIG. 2 , the strand grab  100  is in a stowed position. In the stowed position, the strand grab  100  extends in a direction parallel with respect to the width of the ladder  10 , as is shown in  FIG. 2 . In some example embodiments of the disclosed concept, in the stowed position, the strand grab  100  does not extend beyond a depth of rails  14  of the ladder  10 . The strand grab  100  is structured to rotate between the deployed position and the stowed position. 
     The strand grab  100  is used for securing the ladder  10  to a strand  30  (see  FIG. 12 ). The strand grab  100  grabs onto the strand to prevent the ladder  10  from sliding along the strand  30 . The strand grab  100  is also hooked onto the strand  30  which keeps the ladder  10  attached to the strand  30  if the base of the ladder  10  slides out or the strand  30  deflects away from the ladder  10 . The strand grab  100  is structured such that it will only release the strand  30  upon deliberate action by a user to cause its release. In some example embodiments of the disclosed concept, the strand grab  100  is structured to secure the ladder  10  to strands having diameters in the range of about ⅝″ to about 4″. However, it will be appreciated that disclosed concept also includes strand grabs  100  capable of securing the ladder  10  to strands having other diameters as well. 
       FIG. 3  is a view of the strand grab  100  in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept. The strand grab  100  includes a gate member  110 , a jaw member  120 , a frame  130 , and a connector member  140  (shown in  FIG. 4 ). 
     The frame  130  includes a hook portion  131  and a mounting portion  132 . The hook portion  131  has an arced shape that extends in an arcing direction from one of the mounting portion  132 . The hook portion  131  is structured to be lifted over the strand  30  and then lowered onto the strand  30 , as is shown in  FIG. 12 . The shape of the hook portion  131  causes the strand  30  to be guided to the top of the hook portion  131  at the intersection of the hook portion  131  and the mounting portion  132 . 
     The mounting portion  132  is structured to couple the frame  130  to the mounting piece  20 . The mounting portion  132  includes frame mount pivots  134  formed in its upper and lower ends. The lower frame mount pivot  134  is hidden from view in  FIG. 3 . The frame mount pivots  134  are used to rotatably attach the frame  130  to the mounting piece  20  so that the strand grab  100  may rotate between the stowed and deployed positions shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The mounting portion  132  also includes fixed pivots  133  formed through its outer surfaces. The fixed pivots  133  are used to coupled the frame  130  to gate member  110  and the jaw member  120  at corresponding pivots  113 , 122  (shown in  FIG. 4 ) formed in the gate and jaw members  110 , 120 . 
     The gate member  110  is an elongated member that extends from one fixed pivot  133  of the mounting portion  132  to proximate the hook portion  131 . The gate member  110  is rotatably coupled to the mounting portion  132  so that it can rotate upward from the horizontal position shown in  FIG. 3  to the vertical position shown in  FIG. 11 . When the gate member  110  rotates, its end moves along the shape of the hook portion  131 . When the hook portion  131  is lowered onto a strand  30 , the strand  30  will push the gate member  110  from its horizontal position to its vertical position. 
     The jaw member  120  is an elongated member that extends from one fixed pivot  133  of the mounting portion  132  by a length about equal to the gate member  110 . The jaw member  120  is rotatably coupled to the mounting portion  132  so that it can rotate upward from its vertical position shown in  FIG. 3 . The jaw member  120  may continue rotating upward so that it pinches a strand  30  between itself and the gate member  110 , as is shown in  FIG. 12 . In some example embodiments, the jaw member  120  includes a U-shaped end  125 . The U-shaped end  125  slides along outside surfaces of the hook portion  131  as the jaw member  120  rotates upward. 
     The gate member  110  and the jaw member  120  are coupled such that the angle between the gate member  110  and the jaw member  120  cannot exceed about 90°. When the gate member  110  is in its vertical position, the jaw member  120  cannot rotate below the lower end of the hook portion  131 . That is, the jaw member  12  cannot rotate below its position shown in  FIG. 11 . While in the position shown in  FIG. 11 , even if the strand grab  100  is lifted, it will not release the strand  30 . 
     The strand grab  100  also includes a latch  150 . The latch  150  is a spring-loaded plunger that is structured to extend into an engagement hole  111  formed in the gate member  110  when the gate member  110  is in the vertical position shown in  FIG. 11 . When the latch  150  engages with the gate member  110 , the gate member  110  is unable to rotate from the vertical position until the latch  150  releases the gate member  110 . To release the gate member  110 , the latch  150  is pulled outward so that it disengages the gate member  110  and allows the gate member  110  to rotate from the vertical position. To facilitate pulling out the latch  150 , a ring  152  may be attached to an end of the latch  150 . The ring  152  may be pulled to pull out the latch  150  and cause it to release the gate member  110 . In some example embodiments, a cord may be attached to the ring  152 . The cord may extend down the length of the ladder  10  so that a user at the base of the ladder  10  may pull the cord to cause the latch  150  to release the gate member  110 . Once the gate member  110  has been released by the latch  150 , the gate member  110  can rotate downward from the vertical position allowing the jaw member  120  to rotate downward past the end of the hook portion  131 , thus also allowing strand grab  100  to be lifted off of and release a strand  30 . When the strand grab  100  is placed on a strand  30 , the strand  30  pushes the gate member  110  to the vertical position where it is locked into position by the latch  150 . Only the deliberate action of pulling the latch  150  to release the gate member  110  will allow the strand grab  100  to release the strand  30 . 
       FIG. 4  is an elevation view of the strand grab  100  with the frame  130  hidden in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept and  FIG. 5  is an isometric view of the strand grab  100  with the frame  130  hidden in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept. As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the connector member  140  couples the gate member  110  and the jaw member  120 . 
     The connector member  140  is rotatably attached to the gate member  110  at the pivot  113  of the gate member  110 . The connector member  140  has a slot  142  formed in it. A slot pin  122  extends from the jaw member  120  into the slot  142  coupling the jaw member  120  to the connector member  140 . The jaw member  120  is able to rotate about pivot  121  and the connector member  140  is able to rotate about pivot  113 . When the connector member  140  rotates about pivot  113 , the side of the slot  142  presses against the slot pin  122 . The force against the slot pin  122  by the side of the slot  142  causes the jaw member  120  to rotate about pivot  121 . Conversely, when the jaw member  120  is rotated, the slot pin  122  is pressed against the side of the slot  142  which causes the connector member  140  to rotate. When the jaw member  120  rotates, the slot pin  122  moves in a circular path around pivot  121 . An effect of the movement of the slot pin  122  around the circular path is that the slot pin  122  moves up or down the slot  142 . 
     The connector member  140  includes stop portion  141 . The connector member  140  is elongated and the stop portion  141  extends roughly perpendicular with respect to the elongated direction of the connector member  140 . A stop pin  112  extends from the gate member  110 . The stop pin  112  is structured to abut against the stop portion  141  of the connector member  140 . 
     A torque spring  160  is disposed around the pivot  113  of the gate member  110 . The torque spring  160  includes arms  161 , one of which is structured to press against a side of the connector member  140  and another of which is structured to press against the stop pin  112 . The torque spring  160  is structured to bias the connector member  140  to rotate in a clockwise direction with respect to the gate member  110  (in the orientation shown in  FIG. 4 ) until the stop portion  141  abuts against the stop pin  112 . 
       FIG. 6  is an elevation view of the strand grab  100  with the frame  130  hidden while the gate member  110  is being rotated upward toward the vertical position in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the upward rotational direction of the gate member  110  is designated by the reference character “A”. As the gate member  110  rotates upward, the connector member  140  rotates in a clockwise direction along with the gate member  110 . The rotation of the connector member  140  is due to the torque spring  160  biasing the connector member  140  so that the stop portion  141  abuts against the stop pin  112 . As the gate member  110  rotates, the stop pin  112  moves and the torque spring  160  causes the connector member  140  to rotate with the movement of the stop pin  112  so that that stop portion  141  remains abutted against the stop pin  112 . 
     As the connector member  140  rotates with the gate member  110 , the side of the slot  142  is pressed against the slot pin  122  which causes the jaw member  120  to rotate upward about the pivot  121  in the direction designated by the reference character “B”. As the jaw member  120  rotates upward, the slot pin  122  slides upward along the slot  142 . 
       FIG. 7  is an elevation view of the strand grab  100  with the frame  130  hidden and when the gate member  110  has reached the vertical position in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept. In the vertical position, the latch  150  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) engages with the engagement hole  111  and prevents the gate member  110  from rotating downward. The rotation of the gate member  110  has caused the connector member  140  to continue rotating due to the bias of the torque spring  160 . In turn, the rotation of the connector member  140  has continued to press the side of the slot  142  against the slot pin  122  so that the jaw member  120  has continued rotating upward so that it also has a vertical position, as is shown in  FIG. 7 . 
       FIG. 8  is an elevation view of the strand grab  100  with the frame  130  hidden and when the gate member  110  has reached the vertical position with a small diameter strand  30 - 1  disposed between the gate member  110  and the jaw member  120  in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept. The position shown in  FIG. 8  is the result of lowering the strand grab  100  in the orientation shown in  FIG. 3  over the small diameter strand  30 - 1 . When the strand grab  100  is lowered over the small diameter strand  30 - 1 , the small diameter strand  30 - 1  pushes the gate member  110  to the vertical position. As described with respect to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the rotation of the gate member  110  to the vertical position consequently causes the jaw member  120  to also rotate upward. 
     When the small diameter strand  30 - 1  is disposed between the gate member  110  and the jaw member  120 , as is shown in  FIG. 8 , the jaw member  120  is unable to fully rotate to the vertical position. Instead, the torque spring  160  continues to bias connector member  140  to rotate in the clockwise direction and the rotational force is transferred to the jaw member  120  via the slot pin  122  and slot  142 . The jaw member  140  is thus urged against the small diameter strand  30 - 1  due to the bias force of the torque spring  160 . The amount of force the jaw member  120  applies to the small diameter strand  30 - 1  is proportional to the torque exerted by the torque spring  160 . A gap  170 - 1  is present between the stop portion  141  and the stop pin  112  due to the small diameter stand  30 - 1  preventing the jaw member  120  from fully rotating to the vertical position. Since the jaw member  120  is prevented from rotating further towards the vertical position, the connector member  140  is also prevented from continuing to rotate in the clockwise direction. For instance, attempting to rotate the connector member  140  in the clockwise direction presses the side of the slot  142  against the slot pin  122 . However, since the slot pin  122  cannot be pressed further to the left, the connector member  140  cannot rotate further in the clockwise direction. 
       FIG. 9  is an elevation view of the strand grab  100  with the frame  130  hidden and when the gate member  110  has reached the vertical position with a large diameter strand  30 - 2  disposed between the gate member  110  and the jaw member  120  in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept. The operation of the strand grab  100  in  FIG. 9  is the same as described above with respect to  FIG. 8 . However, with the large diameter strand  30 - 2 , the jaw member  120  is not able to rotate upwards as much due to the larger diameter of the large diameter strand  30 - 2 . Thus, the gap  170 - 2  is also larger and is proportional to the diameter of the strand. 
       FIG. 10  is an elevation view of the strand grab  100  with the frame  130  hidden and when the gate member  110  has reached the vertical position with a strand  30  attempting to move the jaw member  120  in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept. In the orientation shown in  FIG. 10 , the gate member  110  is locked in the vertical position by the latch  150 . The strand  30  is applying a downward force on the jaw member  120  such as when the strand grab  100  is being lifted off of the strand  30 . 
     The downward force of the strand  30  causes the jaw member to rotate downward to the horizontal position shown in  FIG. 10 . However, when the jaw member  120  has reached the horizontal position where it is about at a 90° angle with respect to the gate member  110 , the jaw member  120  cannot rotate any further downward. The downward rotation of the jaw member  120  is stopped due to the connector member  140  abutting against the stop pin  112 , as is shown in  FIG. 10 . The downward rotation of the jaw member  120  causes the connector member  140  to rotate counter-clockwise to the position until it abuts against the stop pin  112  and cannot rotate further counter-clockwise. When the connector member  140  cannot rotate counter-clockwise any further, the jaw member  120  cannot rotate downward. In order for the jaw member  120  to rotate further downward, the slot pin  122  would need to be able to push the slot  142  to the right. However, since, the connector member  140  cannot rotate further in the counter-clockwise direction, the slot pin  122  is prevented from moving further to the right and the jaw member  120  is prevented from rotating any further downward. 
       FIG. 11  is an elevation view of the strand grab  100  in the orientation shown in  FIG. 10  except that the frame  130  is also shown. As shown in  FIG. 11 , when the jaw member  120  is in the horizontal position, it extends to the bottom end of the hook portion  131 . The strand  30  passes through an area defined by the hook portion  131 , the gate member  110 , and the jaw member  120 . As the jaw member  120  cannot rotate any further downward until the latch  150  releases the gate member  110 , the strand  30  cannot pass by the jaw member  120  and be released from the strand grab  100  until the latch  150  is operated to release the gate member  110 . 
       FIG. 12  is an isometric view of the strand grab  100  secured to a strand  30  in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept. To secure the strand grab  100  to the strand grab  100  begins in the orientation shown in  FIG. 1  with the gate member  110  in the horizontal position. The ladder  10  is lifted so that strand grab  100  is over the strand  30  and then the ladder  10  is lowered so the strand grab  100  is lowered onto the strand  30 . The lowering motion causes the strand  30  to push the gate member  110  to the vertical position where the latch  150  automatically latches the gate member  110  into the vertical position. As previously described, the jaw member  120  also rotates upward with the gate member  110  so that the jaw member  120  is pinched against the strand  30  as shown in  FIG. 12 . The force of the jaw member  120  against the strand  30  prevents the strand grab  100  from sliding along the strand  30 . Also, the strand grab  100  will remain secured to the strand  30  until the latch  150  is deliberately released, thus preventing any accidental release of the strand grab  100  from the strand  30 . 
       FIG. 13  is another view of the strand grab  100  in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept. In some example embodiments of the disclosed concept, the top side of the jaw member  120 , the bottom side of the gate member  110 , and the bottom side of the hook portion  131  may be covered with a resilient material such as, without limitation, rubber, in order to prevent damage to the strand  30  as well as to increase the coefficient of friction between the components of the strand grab  100  and the strand  30 . The increased coefficient of friction assists in preventing the strand grab  100  from sliding along the strand  30  when it is secured to the strand  30 .  FIG. 14  is a view of a strand grab  100 ′ in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept and  FIG. 15  is a side view of the strand grab of  FIG. 14 . The strand grab  100 ′ of  FIG. 14  is an alternative arrangement to the strand grab  100  of  FIG. 1 . It will be understood that a frame similar to the frame  130  shown in  FIG. 3  may be used in conjunction with the strand grab  100 ′ of  FIG. 14 . However, the frame is hidden from view in  FIG. 14  to better illustrate and explain the operation of the components. 
     The strand grab  100 ′ includes a gate member  110 ′, a jaw member  120 ′, and a connector member  140 ′. The gate member  110 ′ and jaw member  120 ′ are elongated members that share a common pivot axis  200 . The gate member  110  and the jaw member  120 ′ are able to rotate about the pivot axis  200 . The connector member  140 ′ has a pivot  210 . The connector member  140 ′ is able to rotate about the pivot  210 . The pivot  210  of connector member  140 ′ is also able to slide along a frame slot  220  (shown in  FIG. 15 ). The frame slot  220  is a slot formed on an interior surface of the frame. For example and without limitation, the frame  130  of  FIG. 3  may be modified such that the frame slot  220  is formed on one of its interior surfaces and it may be employed with the strand grab  100 ′ of  FIG. 14 . The frame slot  220  has an arc shape such as that shown in  FIG. 15 . The strand grab  100 ′ includes a spring (not shown) that biases the connector pivot  210  toward the left end (e.g., in the direction designated by reference character “C” in  FIG. 15 ) of the frame slot  220 . 
     The connector member  140 ′ includes a slot  142 ′. Gate member  110 ′ includes a gate slot pin  114  and jaw member  120 ′ includes a jaw slot pin  122 ′. The gate member  110 ′ and the jaw member  120 ′ are coupled to the connector member  140 ′ by the gate slot pin  114  and the jaw slot pin  122 ′ extending into the slot  142 ′. The gate slot pin  114  and the jaw slot pint  122 ′ are both configured to slide along the slot  142 ′. Rotating the gate member  110 ′ or the jaw member  120 ′ causes the corresponding slot pin  114 , 122 ′ to press against the side of the slot  142 ′ and rotate the connector member  140 ′. Conversely, rotating the connector member  140 ′ causes the side of the slot  142 ′ to press against the gate slot pin  114  and the jaw slot pin  122 ′, thus causing the gate member  110 ′ and the jaw member  120 ′ to rotate. For example, rotating the gate member  110 ′ upward causes the gate slot pin  114  to press against an upper side of the slot  142 ′ and rotate the connector member  140 ′. The rotation of the connector member  140 ′ in turn causes the bottom side of the slot  142 ′ to press upward against the jaw slot pin  122 ′ and cause the jaw member  120 ′ to also rotate upward. Thus, the gate member  110 ′ and the jaw member  120 ′ rotate together. 
       FIG. 16  is an elevation view of the strand grab  100 ′ while the gate member  110 ′ is rotating upward in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept. As shown in  FIG. 16 , as the gate member  110 ′ rotates upward in the direction designated by reference character “D”, the jaw member  120 ′ follows the gate member  110 ′ upward in the direction designated by reference character “E”. 
       FIG. 17  is an elevation view of the strand grab  100 ′ when the gate member  110 ′ has reached its vertical position in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept. The jaw member  120 ′ has followed the gate member  110 ′ in upward rotation and has also reached a vertical position. In the vertical position, the gate member  110 ′ is latched in the vertical position by a latch such as the latch  150  of  FIG. 3 . Although details such as the engagement hole  111  are not shown in  FIG. 17 , it will be appreciated that the strand grab  100 ′ may include features such as the engagement hole  111  and latch  150  so as to enable a latching operation similar to that previously described with respect to  FIG. 3 . 
     It is noted that in the examples shown in  FIGS. 15, 16, and 17 , the pivot  210  of the connector member  140 ′ has remained on the left side of the frame slot  220  due to the spring biasing it in that position. However, the presence of a strand  30  between the gate member  110 ′ and the jaw member  120 ′ will cause the pivot  210  to slide from the left side of the frame slot  220 , as will be described with respect to  FIG. 18 . 
       FIG. 18  is an elevation view of the strand grab  100 ′ securing a strand  30  in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept. The strand  30  is disposed between the gate member  110 ′ and the jaw member  120 ′. When the strand grab  100 ′ is lowered onto the strand  30 , the strand  30  will push the gate member  110 ′ to the vertical position. The jaw member  120  follows the rotation of the gate member  110 ′ upward. As the gate member  110 ′ reaches the vertical position the jaw member  120 ′ pinches the strand  30  between the gate and jaw members  110 ′, 120 ′. As the jaw member  120 ′ cannot reach the vertical position due to the strand  30 , the offset between the jaw member  120 ′ and the gate member  110 ′ forces the pivot  210  of the connector member  140  to slide right along the frame slot  220  to accommodate the offset between the gate and jaw members  110 ′, 120 ′. The bias force of the spring pushing the pivot  210  to the left of the frame slot  220  is translated to a force pinching the jaw member  120 ′ against the strand  30 . 
       FIG. 19  is an elevation view of the strand grab  100 ′ while the strand  30  is pushing the jaw member  120 ′ downward in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept. The jaw member  120 ′ may be pushed downward, for example, if the strand grab  100 ′ is attempted to be lifted off of the strand  30 . As the jaw member  120 ′ is pushed downward, the offset between the gate member  110 ′ and the jaw member  120 ′ increases, thus forcing the pivot  210  of the connector member  140 ′ to slide further to the right of the frame slot  220 . The length of the frame slot  220  is selected such that the pivot  210  will reach the right end of the frame slot  220  when the jaw member  120 ′ is at the bottom end of the hook portion  131  of the frame  130 . When the pivot  210  reaches the right end of the frame slot  220 , the pivot  210  can not move any further to the right and, in turn, the jaw member  120 ′ is prevented from rotating further downward. The strand  30  will remain secured until the gate member  110 ′ is unlatched so that it and the jaw member  120 ′ can rotate further downward. 
     While specific embodiments of the disclosed concept have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the disclosed concept which is to be given the full breadth of the claims appended and any and all equivalents thereof.