Patent Publication Number: US-RE43194-E

Title: Spring loaded and self-locking cable gripping apparatus

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE 
     This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/508,254 entitled “Spring Loaded and Self-Locking Cable Gripping Apparatus”, filed Oct. 3, 2003, which is herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to an improved cable gripping apparatus which allows a user to secure a variety of cable materials, make adjustments to the length and tension of the cable materials, and shield the cable materials in a stainless steel casing to minimize corrosion of said cable materials. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     There exists in the field of securing cables, devices for gripping and anchoring a variety of cables to enclosures or structures. The conventional procedure for cable gripping devices involves a casing with a hollow conical-shaped wedge, wherein the wedge contains a threaded inner surface. Some devices additionally provide a spring held within the one end of the conical-shaped wedge. Together the spring and the threaded surface guide a cable through the device and grip the cable materials. 
     Various such cable gripping devices are currently available. However, such devices often have too many components. The multiplicity of components create confusion for the user. Further, such components are prone to be lost, misplaced or damaged, rendering the device useless. Such devices are also larger than necessary, requiring additional material to manufacture. Also, components of such devices are shaped in complicated designs for instance T-shaped cutouts, requiring added expense when manufacturing the components as well as increasing the possibility that components will not fit well. Additionally, with prior devices, dirt and moisture are prone to becoming trapped within such devices. This often leads to corrosion of the cables held within the devices. Furthermore, there are no devices to accommodate smaller sized cables with diameters such as small as 1/16 inch to ⅛ inch. 
     Therefore, there exists a need to provide a spring loaded and self-locking cable gripping apparatus that (1) is capable of securing a variety of cable materials, and particularly aircraft cable; (2) is simple to use for making length and tension adjustments; (3) is capable of being hidden in an enclosure with only a low profile cap being visible while minimizing the corrosion of the apparatus from the elements such as salt air and the like; (4) possesses sufficient strength because of the materials that make up the apparatus parts. 
     Further objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The embodiments of the present invention solve the problems and address the drawbacks of the approaches in the above description. It is an object of the present invention to provide a spring loaded and self-locking cable gripping apparatus of a minimum of components, sturdy, non-corrosive, and capable of securing a variety of cable materials of even very small diameter. It is an object of the present invention to provide a finished look to a cable apparatus in use and at the same time protect the. components of the apparatus from damage. 
     An embodiment of the present invention is a spring loaded and self-locking gripping apparatus comprising a housing with a central conical passageway section, a pair of serrated half-jaws, a spacer, retaining clip, an o-ring, a spring, and a cap at one end of the housing. The housing has a receiving end and a dispatching end. The spring is housed within the conical passageway at the receiving end. The two serrated half-jaws fit tightly into the conical passageway at the dispatching end. The cap is attached to the exterior of the dispatching end. The spacer separates the serrated jaws from the spring. The retaining clip and the o-ring separates the spring from the cap. The serrated half-jaws also have a conical shape. Each serrated half-jaw have an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface is serrated. The two serrated half-jaws are tapered to the receiving end. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, cable material enters the apparatus from the receiving end of the housing. The pressure from the cable material causes the serrated jaws to open, thus allowing the cable to enter the apparatus. The pressure from the cable also causes the spring to be compressed which applies pressure against the spacer which in turn presses against the jaws against the cable. The jaws slide longitudinally toward the dispatching end and begin to separate. As the serrated jaws open, the cable is received through the passageway until the spring is expanded. The applied pressure of the spring to the spacer and the spacer to the jaws keeps the receiving end of the jaws in place by causing the jaws to close, thus securely gripping the cable. Thus, the cable is locked within the apparatus and can only move from the receiving end to the dispatching end. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus comprises an end cap at the dispatching end of the housing including an o-ring for sealing the dispatching end of the housing from the environment and providing a clean finish. When in use, the gripping apparatus is enclosed in a structure and only the end cap remains visible on the structure. 
     In additional alternative embodiments, the components of the present invention are made of stainless steel. In the preferred embodiment, the o-ring is not made of stainless steel but is preferably composed of an elastomeric material such as a rubber, silicone or other similar flexible material. 
     In additional alternative embodiments, the serrated half-jaws and the spacer have diameters ranging from 1/16 inch to ⅛ inch. 
     These and other embodiments of the present invention are further made apparent, in the remainder of the present document, to those of ordinary skill in the art. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In order to more fully describe embodiments of the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings. These drawings are not to be considered limitations in the scope of the invention, but are merely illustrative. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the cable gripping apparatus in its fully assembled state, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1.1  is an exploded perspective view of the cable gripping apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1.2  is a cross-sectional view of the cable gripping apparatus in a closed state with a cable inserted, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1.3  is a cross-sectional view of the cable gripping apparatus with a cable partially inserted, the spring in its compressed state, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the main housing of the cable gripping apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS 
     The description above and below and the drawings of the present document focus on one or more currently preferred embodiments of the present invention and also describe some exemplary optional features and/or alternative embodiments. The description and drawings are for the purpose of illustration and not limitation. Those of ordinary skill in the art would recognize variations, modifications, and alternatives. Such variations, modifications, and alternatives are also within the scope of the present invention. 
       FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the spring loaded and self-locking cable gripping apparatus in its fully assembled state. The apparatus comprises a cylindrical main housing  1  having a central passageway beginning from the bore  16  and a cap  13 . In the preferred embodiment, the main housing  1  further comprises an inside bevel  2  located on a first end side, an outside bevel  20 , a large diameter outside flange  21  located on a second end side of the main housing  1  and forming an integral part of the main housing  1 . Furthermore, an o-ring  12  rests between the cap  13  and outside flange  21 . The material of all elements is preferably is preferably of stainless steel except for the o-ring  12 . The o-ring is preferably of an elastomeric material such as a rubber, silicone or other similar flexible material. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1.1 , an exploded view of  FIG. 1  illustrates the cap  13  and o-ring  12  apart from the main housing  1  before assembly. The main housing  1  is shown with a lip  3  adjacent to and having a larger diameter than the outside flange  21 . The lip  3  is also formed as an integral part of the main housing  1 . When the main housing  1  is assembled with the cap  13 , the o-ring  12  which rests in an inside circular recess of the cap  13 , snaps over the lip  3  of the main housing, and therein provides a seal against environmental elements of dust, dirt, moisture or other contaminants from entering the housing passageway. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , an exploded perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention shows the various components contained within the housing  1 . The housing  1  comprises a pair of half jaws shown as half-jaw  4 , half-jaw  6 , spacer  8 , spring  10 , retaining clip  11 , o-ring  12  and cap  13 . Preferably, the pair of half jaws  4 ,  6  have a serrated or threaded inner surface defining a circular channel. Half-jaw  4  and half-jaw  6  when positioned together in the main housing  1 , form a conical shape wherein the smaller diameter side half-jaw  4  includes a drawing bevel end  5  and drawing bevel end  7  for half-jaw  6 . The bevel ends  5 ,  7  allow for ease in guiding a cable receiving through the first end side of the main housing  1 , through bore  16 . Spacer  8 , comprises a circular flange section at a first spacer end a smaller diameter second end having a uniformly circular outer surface  9  formed as an integral part of the spacer  8 . Spring  10  has a diameter no larger than the outer diameter of the circular flange section of spacer  8 , such that spring  10  rests against the flange section of spacer  8  and around outer surface  9 . Such assembly provides for added stability within the housing. Cap  13  further comprises an inside annular recess  14  where o-ring  12  rests inside. 
       FIG. 3  shows a perspective cross-sectional view of the main housing  1  of an embodiment of the present invention with small bore  16 , tapered bore section  18 , a large straight bore section  19  with annular groove  15 , outside flange  21  with a larger outside diameter lip  3 , an outside bevel  20  on a cable receiving first end of the housing  1 , and a inside bevel  2  on a cable receiving first end of the housing  1 . 
       FIG. 1.3  shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention with a cable  17  partially inserted into the apparatus through bore  16  at the first end side of the housing  1 . As cable  17  is inserted, it is guided to the center passageway by inside bevel  2  of the main housing  1 , drawing bevel  5  and drawing bevel  7 . Applying pressure to the cable  17  causes serrated half-jaw  4  and serrated half-jaw  6  to travel in a longitudinal direction from tapered bore section  18  toward the larger straight bore section  19 , creating an opening in between half-jaw  4  and half-jaw  6 , allowing cable  17  to be inserted and received through the half-jaws  4 ,  6 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1.3 , the opening between the half-jaws  4 ,  6  is created when spring  10  in its compressed state applies pressure to spacer  8 , serrated half-jaw  4 , and serrated half-jaw  6  against the direction of the cable  17 . As cable  17  enters the apparatus, pressure is applied in both directions on half-jaws  4 ,  6  and as the jaws  4 ,  6  slide toward larger straight bore section  19 , jaws  4 ,  6  also move radially to accommodate the size of cable  17 , in turn jaws  4 ,  6  grip and lock upon cable  17 , preventing movement of cable  17  out of the apparatus. Spring  10  is steadied by spacer  8  and containment of parts is facilitated by retaining clip  11 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1.2  a cross-sectional perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention illustrates cable  17  completely inserted and gripped in the apparatus. Spring  10  is in its expanded state applying pressure to the spacer  8 , which is kept in line by the smaller diameter outer surface  9  of spacer  8 , which acts as a guide for spring  10 . Spacer  8  applies pressure to the jaw  4  and jaw  6  , causing jaw  4  and jaw  6  to close upon cable  17 .  FIG. 1.2  illustrates the apparatus in its closed state, the pressure of spring  10  and the tapered section  18 , allows cable  17  to move in one direction inward and not in the other direction therefore causing the apparatus to self-lock upon cable  17 . 
     Retaining clip  11 , as shown in  FIG. 1.2 , is inserted into the retaining clip annular groove  15  shown in  FIG. 3 , assuring the containment of the various components contained within the housing  1  while the diameter of bore  16  prevents passage of the various components in the opposite direction. Bore  16  has a smaller diameter than the smallest diameter of the conical shape of jaws  4 ,  6 , therein preventing bypass of any component out from the apparatus. 
     As further illustrated in  FIG. 1.2 , o-ring  12  is provided over and beyond larger lip  3  when cap  13  is in place. Since the inner diameter of o-ring  12  is smaller than the diameter of lip  3 , o-ring  12  deforms and causes the cap  13  to snap into place and forms a protective seal upon housing  1 . The flat surface of the larger diameter outside flange  21  assumes the role of a washer and holds the apparatus in place when the apparatus is inserted in an enclosure or structure. Once inserted in an enclosure or structure such as a post, the apparatus is hidden from view except for cap  3  which finishes and seals off lip  3  of the apparatus. 
     Throughout the description and drawings, example embodiments are given with reference to specific configurations. It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention can be embodied in other specific forms. Those of ordinary skill in the art would be able to practice such other embodiments without undue experimentation. The scope of the present invention, for the purpose of the present patent document, is not limited merely to the specific example embodiments of the foregoing description, but rather is indicated by the appended claims. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalents within the claims are intended to be considered as being embraced within the spirit and scope of the claims.