Patent ID: 8496603

Claim:
A wire torque apparatus, comprising an outer block forming (a) a first lengthwise slot at a first end and extending within the outer block, and (b) a tapered cavity at a second end and extending within the outer block, the tapered cavity including: (c) a tapered, internally threaded cavity portion proximate the second end, and (d) a tapered, nonthreaded cavity portion connecting the first lengthwise slot and the internally threaded portion; and an inner block forming (a) a second lengthwise slot (b) a plurality of tapered externally threaded elements, and (c) a tongue proximate the externally threaded elements, extending outward from a tip of the inner block and past the externally threaded elements; wherein the first and second lengthwise slots are configured to accommodate passage of a length of wire therethrough when the slots are aligned, such that the apparatus can clamp the wire without threading an end of the wire through the apparatus, and wherein the threaded elements are configured to screw the inner block at least partially into the tapered cavity of the outer block to engage the wire; and wherein, upon initial engagement of the externally threaded elements with the internally threaded cavity portion, the tongue blocks the wire from entering the first lengthwise slot, and upon further engagement, the tongue advances past the nonthreaded cavity portion and deforms against the wire to bias the wire against an inner surface of the outer block, to hold the wire in place within the tapered cavity.