Self-locking Cleats for Electric Wires.
Year: 1894

page_text: of Application, 25th May, 1894-Accepted, 7th July, 1894
Self-locking Cleats for Electric Wires.
I, ELIAS NASHOLD, residing at No. 7248 Vernon Avenue, City of Chicago,
State of Illinois, United States of America, Electrician, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to improvements in cleats or devices for stringing or
securing wires to the ceilings and walls of buildings and other supports, and while
it is more especially adapted to be used for electric-wires, such as are used in
fire-alarm-systems, electric-lighting, enunciators, and telephone-wires, yet it can be
employed for securing other kinds of wires or cords; and it consists in certain
peculiarities of the construction, novel arrangement, and operation of the various
parts thereof, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth and specifically claimed.
The objects of my invention are first, to provide a cleat for the above named
purpose, which shall be simple and inexpensive in construction, strong and durable,
and can be readily applied to or removed from the ceiling or wall; and second,
such a device, by means of which the wires can be readily strung or hung and when
placed in position in the cleats will be locked therein, and firmly retained, thus
holding the wires taut and preventing sagging, and economizing in the quantity of
wire used.
In order to enable others skilled in the art to which my invention pertains to
make and use the same, I will now proceed to describe it, referring to the
accompanying drawings, in which-
Figure 1, is a view in side elevation of my cleat, showing it constructed for the
reception of three wires.
Figure 2, is a plan view thereof.
Figure 3, is an end view.
Figure 4, is a cross-sectional view, taken on line 4, 4, of Figure 1.
Figure 5, is a like view, taken on line 5, 5, of Figure 1.
Figure 6, is a plan view of the cleat, showing it formed so as to receive and
retain two wires.
Figure 7, is an enlarged detail view of the cleat constructed for the reception of
one wire. And
Figures 8, and 9, are detail views of portions of the wires, showing the manner
in which they are bent, by means of the cleat.
Similar letters refer to like parts throughout the different views of the drawings.
A, represents the cleat, which is made of any suitable size, form, and material,
but preferably in the shape of a rectangular block and of porcelain. The upper
portion of the block or that part thereof, which when it is in position will lie
against the wall or ceiling is flat, and is formed at each end with recesses a, which
recesses are made by removing that part of the upper portion of the ends of the
block outward, from the transverse and oblique grooves b, which grooves extend to
about the longitudinal center of the block, and terminate on either side thereof in
flaring openings c. As is clearly seen in Figures 1, and 4, of the drawings, the
upper edges d, of the flaring openings c, are somewhat below the lower part of the
central portion of the grooves b, that is, while the grooves b, extend obliquely
across the block, they also extend downward on each side and form a ridge b', at
the middle of the grooves. It will also be observed by reference to Figure 2, that
the apexes e, of the flaring openings c, are in a direct line drawn cross-wise the
block. This construction of the block permits of the wire or wires being inserted
through the recesses a, into the grooves b, when they may be placed cross-wise of

page_text: the block, the ridge b', forming an upward bend f, in the wire D, and the apexes e,
of the flaring openings will cause a lateral bend f, or kink in the wire, as is shown
in Figures 8, and 9, which bends or kinks will lock the wires securely in place, and
prevent them being drawn in either direction. In order to remove the wire or
wires from the cleat, it is only necessary to turn them into the oblique grooves,
when they may be taken therefrom through the recesses a, between the cleat and
the ceiling or wall.
In Figure 1, I have shown my cleat formed for the reception of three wires, in
which construction the central groove b, in the bottom is formed obliquely across
the block A, and terminates on either side thereof into flaring openings c, which
are of the same construction, as above described, except that the ridge b', extends
downward in this case, instead of upwardly, as in the eud grooves. In Figure 6,
I have shown in plan view, the cleat constructed for the reception of two wires,
and in Figure 7, I have shown in plan view, the cleat for the reception of one wire,
only, and said wire is shown in position. In either of the constructions the grooves
are of the form above described, and the operation and result is the same. It is
obvious that if the apexes of the flaring openings are not in a direct line or
substantially so, that the lateral bend will not be given to the wire, and if the
vertical bend of the groove is omitted, the vertical bend in the wire will not be
attained, and as these bends or kinks of the wire lock the same in place, I prefer to
so construct my cleat, as to produce them, but I may sometimes dispense with one
or both of those features, and still provide a good cleat.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :
1. As an improved article of manufacture, a cleat consisting of a block having
one or more recesses in its portion adjacent to the support, and one or more grooves
extending obliquely across the cleat and terminating in flaring openings on each
side thereof, the apexes of said openings being in substantially a direct line across
the cleat, substantially as described.
2. As an improved article of manufacture, a cleat consisting of a block having
one or more recesses a, in its portion adjacent to the support, and one or more
grooves b, extending obliquely across the cleat and with a vertical bend therein and
terminating in flaring openings on each side of the cleat, the apexes of said
openings being in substantially a direct line across the cleat, substantially as
described.
3. As an improved article of manufacture, a cleat consisting of a block having
one or more recesses a, in its portion adjacent to the support, and one or more
grooves b, extending obliquely across the cleat and with a vertical bend therein
and terminating in flaring openings on each side thereof, substantially as described.
Dated this 25th day of May 1894.
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,.
Agents for the Applicant.