Patent ID: 7302740

Claim:
A line clamp comprising clamping means for selectively clamping a line subjected to tension; and control means for selectively actuating said clamping means in a clamping mode for clamping the line and for de-activating said clamping means for rapidly releasing the line in a releasing mode, said control means including a user-responsive element for selecting one of said clamping and releasing modes by application of a user force that is significantly less than and unrelated to the tension in the line, said clamping means including an eccentric wheel the outer periphery of which forms a line receiving space with a brake element that contacts the line that follows the movements of said eccentric wheel periphery in the releasing mode of said control means, said control means further comprising toggle means for restricting the movements of said eccentric wheel in the clamping mode of said control means and safety means for preventing said toggle means from snapping to a condition that changes the modes of said control means from clamping to releasing modes, said control means including cam means for destabilizing said toggle means when said safety means is released.