Patent Publication Number: US-2006005501-A1

Title: Wire stop 1.1 for multi-strand steel cable

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
      The present invention relates generally to rigging and in particular relates to a cable attachment for securing steel cable to trees, power poles, and the like.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      In the field of rigging, it is often necessary to secure one pole to another or to secure one part of a tree to the remainder the tree or to simply secure a tree against falling over. To provide this kind of structural support, it is known to attach one end of a cable to the tree or pole to be supported and the other end of the cable to another object. However, the mechanics of attaching the cable to a tree or pole can present certain technical difficulties in the field.  
      In such an application, steel cables, such as multi-strand steel cables, typically have been used and are still used today to support trees, power poles and similar items. Such cables are typically attached to a tree or utility pole by attaching a J-hook or lag bolt that is screwed into the tree or pole. A thimble and a “preformed wrap” are attached to the J-hook. Alternatively, the steel cable can be bent around the J-hook and the thimble then secured with “bulldog clips”. Alternatively, the steel cable is attached using eyebolts installed through the tree or pole and secured in like manner.  
      The above described attachment techniques suffer from requiring multiple parts to secure the steel cable. Also, because of the multiple parts involved, the collection of the multiple parts is only as strong as the weakest of the parts, which in this case typically tends to be the lag bolts or J-hooks, the preformed wraps, or the bulldog clips. These attachment techniques also tend to be difficult to use in close quarters, such as when the trunks of a tree are closer together than about three feet or so.  
      Accordingly, it can be seen that a need yet remains in the art for a device for attaching steel cable to trees and poles, which device is strong, easily used in the field, compact, and with few parts. It is to the provision of such a device at the present invention is primarily directed.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      Briefly described, a wire stop 1.1 for use with a multi-strand steel cable for securing trees and poles. The wire stop 1.1 includes an outer body with a tapered opening extending therethrough. The wire stop 1.1 also includes a tapered inner body with a central bore extending therethrough for receiving a single strand of the multi-strand steel cable therein. The tapered inner body is sized and configured to be received in and cooperate with the tapered opening in outer body. With this construction, the multi-strand steel cable can be partially unwound and a single strand threaded through the central bore in the tapered inner body and the remaining strands can be threaded between the inner body and the outer body. The single middle wire strand going through the central bore in the tapered inner body is then bent over to fix the wire stop 1.1 onto the multi-strand steel cable. The outer body is made of a metal that is softer than the metal of the inner body. This has two important functions and is unique to the way multi-strand cables are secured in the field or otherwise. The first is that the harder inner body used with the softer outer body makes it easer for the inner body and surrounding wires to be fixed or locked into the softer outer body. Secondly, the outer body being softer accommodates itself to the shape of the wires it is receiving in such a way as to have a firm hold on them but also not crush or cut into them when high tension is on the multi-strand wire cable. This configuration results in the wire stop 1.1 being able to be fixed easier than other such systems and yet hold more weight. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES  
       FIG. 1  is a side, sectional view of a wire stop 1.1 showing the aluminum block (A), the stainless steel taper (B), strands (C) of a multi-strand steel cable (D) extending therethrough, and the single middle strand (E) of the multi-strand cable bent over to fix the wire stop 1.1 onto the multi-strand steel cable.  
       FIG. 2  is an end view of the wire stop 1.1 of  FIG. 1 , showing the aluminum block (A), the inner stainless steel taper (B), strands (C) of a multi-strand steel cable extending therethrough, and the single middle strand (E) of the multi-strand cable bent over to fix the wire stop 1.1 onto the multi-strand steel cable.  
       FIG. 3  is an end view of the inner taper (B) of the wire stop 1.1 and the hole (F) that accepts the single strand of the multi-strand steel cable.  
       FIG. 4  is a side sectional view of the inner taper (B) of the wire stop 1.1 and the hole (F) that accepts the single strand of the multi-strand steel cable.  
       FIG. 5  is an end view of the outer block (A) with the inner bore (G).  
       FIG. 6  is side, sectional view of the aluminum block (A) of the wire stop 1.1 and the internal bore (G).  
       FIG. 7  is an end view of the wire stop 1.1 block (A) with the internal bore (G). Also shown are the accommodating groves that are formed when pressure is applied to the multi-strand steel cable being held by the wire stop 1.1  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS  
      The present invention may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of the invention taken in connection with the accompanying drawing figures, which form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific metals, devices, methods, conditions or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed invention. Also, as used in the specification including the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural, and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” or “approximately” one particular value and/or to “about” or “approximately” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. Moreover, while the invention is described in connection with the use of multi-strand steel cable, it will be recognized that the invention is not limited to such use and that other types of cable, wire, and the like can be used with the present invention.  
      With reference now to the drawing figures, a wire stop 1.1 includes an outer body (A) defining a tapered opening defined by tapered surface extending therethrough (G). Although the depicted embodiment has a hexagon shaped outer body  FIG. 2 - 5 - 7 , those skilled in the art will recognize that other shapes can be employed, such as round, rectangular, etc. Indeed, these alternative shapes are within the scope of the present invention. The shape and the size of the outer body (A) may depend on the intended use of the wire stop 1.1. In the embodiment illustrated in these figures, the outer body (A) is formed to be secured on the outer portion of the structure being rigged, such as for example a pole or tree. Alternatively, the outer body (A) can be set partially within a counter bore or otherwise inlet into the structure being rigged. Preferably, the outer body (A), and the other parts of the wire stop 1.1, are made of a corrosion-resistant steel or other suitable material. The applicant has found aluminum to work well for the outer body and stainless steel to work well for the inner body. While steel has high strength, the softer aluminum provides a very good grip while minimizing the tendency to cut or break the strands of the cable. It is also possible to use brass or other combinations of materials for some or all of the wire stop 1.1. However, it is important for obtaining a secure initial hold and continuing to hold at the highest possible pressures, that the inner body be made of a material harder than that of the outer body.  
      The wire stop 1.1 also includes a tapered inner body (B). The tapered inner body (B) is sized and configured to be received in and cooperate with the tapered opening (G) in the outer body (A). In the depicted embodiments  FIG. 1-2 , the inner body (B) has a complementary frustoconical shape to be closely received within the opening (G) of the outer body (A). Alternatively, the cross-sectional shape of the inner body (B) may be triangular, rectangular, or oblong variations of such, so long as the inner body (B) is shaped and/or sized to be substantially receivable within the tapered opening of the outer body (A). The inner body (B) includes a central bore (F) extending therethrough for receiving the central strand (E) of the multi-strand steel cable (D) therein.  
      In using the wire stop 1.1 to attach a multi-strand steel cable to a tree or pole, the multi-strand steel cable (D) can be partially unraveled and the individual strands can be threaded into the wire stop 1.1. Preferably, the central strand (E) is threaded through the central bore (F) in the tapered inner body (B), and the outer strands (C) are slipped between the inner body (B) and the outer body (A). The wire stop 1.1 is then secured or fixed onto the multi-strand steel cable quickly and easily by bending the single middle strand of the multi-strand steel cable over inner body (B). Upon the application of a tensile force on the cable, the strands pull the inner body (B) into the outer body  102 , whereby the cable is held fast in a static state by the wire stop 1.1. Preferably, the outer body (A) and the inner body (B) are fabricated from high strength metals that are durable and resistant to corrosion. However, it is possible to incorporate other less durable materials for rigging procedures demanding less durability and corrosion resistance, so long as the material will maintain the tensile load applied upon it and the outer body is softer than the inner body.  
      While the invention has been described with reference to preferred and exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that a variety of modifications, additions and deletions can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined by the following claims.