Abstract: A support structure is provided for supporting a cable. The support structure includes a body portion extending circumferentially about an axis. The body portion includes a first wall, a second wall extending substantially parallel to the first wall, and a third wall coupled between the first wall and the second wall. The first wall, the second wall, and the third wall define an opening extending along a circumferential length of the body portion. The body portion receives the cable within the opening. A retention structure is coupled to the first wall and projects from the first wall towards the second wall. The retention structure extends substantially parallel to the third wall. The retention structure retains the cable within the opening.

Abstract: A tethered anchor point for a footwear lace element includes various elements. For example, the tethered anchor point includes a tensile strand that attaches to a portion of the footwear article. In addition, the tethered anchor point includes a tensile-strand reinforcement. The tensile-strand reinforcement provides a sliding surface against which the lace element of the footwear article may slide when the lace element is threaded through the tethered anchor point.

Abstract: A lightweight and flexible load bearing shackle that is configurable in operation. The shackle includes a bow made of a plurality of loops of synthetic fiber rope (e.g., polypropylene, nylon, polyester, polyethylene, Aramid, acrylic, mixtures of several fibers, co-polymer fibers, straight, braided, twisted). The loops of fiber rope may be contained within a sheathing configured as a single loop. The sheathing is secured together to form a receptacle (opening) in each leg of the bow that is reinforced with an eyelet. The eyelets may be split eyelets that include a first/second side mounted to a first/second side of the receptacle that are then secured together over the receptacle. A connection pin may be secured between the eyelets. The shackle may include a spacing mechanism (e.g., casing that connection pin traverses, connection pin that has wider center portion) between the legs to maintain the legs a certain distance apart.

Abstract: A cord locking device (100) applies compressive forces and restrictive configurations to at least one end of a cord (138) for inhibiting movement of a cord (138) placed around or through first and second objects (146, 172). The cord locking device (100) receives at least a first cord end (142) that passes through a cord lock device (106) and an aperture (126) in a threadably engageable cap (124). The cap (124) applies a frictional force on the cord against the cord lock device to prevent movement of the cord through the cord lock device. A second end of the cord (164) may be inserted into the body portion of the cord lock device (106) to be secured frictionally or alternatively, a second end of a cord may be attached to a connector device (140) which in turn is mechanically attached to a top region of the cord lock device (106).

Abstract: A thimble apparatus for use with a rope has a thimble eye formed as a generally U-shaped shackle defining a center aperture therein with arms on opposing sides of the aperture. The thimble eye has an outer surface, a front face, and a rear face. A groove is formed within the front face of the shackle generally in the shape of a U and has a width. A rope seat is formed within the shackle beneath the groove proximal to the rear face and has a diameter larger than the width of the groove. The groove forms a passage to the rope seat from the front face along the length of the groove. A base connects to ends of the arms of the shackle closing the aperture. The base defines a channel formed as an open-ended groove through the base such that in use the channel permits a rope to extend from either one of adjacent sides of the base to position the thimble apparatus between first and second positions.

Abstract: A thimble assembly that includes an arch portion connecting a first leg portion to a second leg portion. The thimble assembly may also include a peripheral groove extending substantially along an outer surface of the first and second leg portions and the arch portion. The thimble assembly may also include a plurality of connectors extending from a first lip of the peripheral groove and connecting to a second lip of the peripheral groove. The connectors may traverse the peripheral groove across the first and second leg portions and the arch portion. The thimble assembly may include a length of cord with a plurality of strands that traverses the peripheral groove. The strands may enclose the connectors such that the strands are woven around the connectors. In one embodiment, the thimble assembly may include a wireless tension detector connected to the thimble that includes a sensor that senses radial expansion and contraction of the cord under tension.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide rope termination devices with flexible members for accommodating fleet angle in the rope without undue frictional wear on the rope. A metal connector is fastened to a tail with a flexure in a direction perpendicular to a plane through an axial centerline of the rope termination device. The rope wraps around the tail and the metal connector, lying in a passage formed around an exterior of the components, and may be secured by an overbraid jacket applied around the tail portion of the rope termination device.

Abstract: A thimble mechanism for retention of a shackle in a wire rope loop termination. In one preferred embodiment, a thimble device is provided for a shackle having a pair of opposed legs with each leg having an end with a width smaller than a depth. The thimble device includes a thimble body having an external arcuate edge with a rope groove for receipt of a wire rope therein. A central opening extends through the thimble body with the central opening larger than the width but smaller than the depth of the shackle ends. A keyway is provided in the thimble body extending from the central opening to the arcuate edge of the thimble body.

Abstract: A thimble mechanism for retention of a shackle in a wire rope loop termination. In one preferred embodiment, a thimble device is provided for a shackle having a pair of opposed legs with each leg having an end with a width smaller than a depth. The thimble device includes a thimble body having an external arcuate edge with a rope groove for receipt of a wire rope therein. A central opening extends through the thimble body with the central opening larger than the width but smaller than the depth of the shackle ends. A keyway is provided in the thimble body extending from the central opening to the arcuate edge of the thimble body.

Abstract: A device for termination of synthetic rope, with an eye socket substantially free of sharp edges, a bale at the top of the eye socket with an eye for attachment of connecting links, a groove for receiving synthetic rope. In addition, the device includes a bale with extended sides at the top of the eye socket, a thimble within a synthetic rope eye contained within the extended sides and restrained from translation by pin. A shroud is also provided for protection at the bottom of the eye socket at the synthetic rope splice. The device is intended to aid in the efficient and safe connections to other objects such as other synthetic mooring lines, steel wire rope, and anchor chains.

Abstract: A detachable synthetic rope connector with connector body, bale, main load pin sub assembly, and a restraining load sub assembly that permits the use of large diameter synthetic and other mooring components such as cable and chain on offshore work vessels without specialized deck equipment. The inventive connector allows for safe and redundant restraint of a mooring segment in order to provide transfer of the tension load while providing connection features that simplify separation and the reduction of safety risks to vessel working personnel and the environment, and the features allow for the connector to be separated easily while the portion holding the rope is restrained while the bale can be removed.

Abstract: A captivated wire rope assembly can comprise a wire rope, shackle, ferrule, and wire rope thimble having an element retaining feature. The element retaining feature can ensure that all of the assembly components remain together for the life of the assembly by rendering it impossible to remove or replace the shackle or other rigging element without apparent damage to the system. The element retaining feature can be, for example, a substantially triangular gusset welded to one thimble leg, but not the other. Disclosed methods for making such a captivated wire rope assembly require no welding after the wire rope has been placed in the thimble, thus preventing damage to the wire rope or other assembly components.

Abstract: A captivated wire rope assembly can comprise a wire rope, shackle, ferrule, and wire rope thimble having an element retaining feature. The element retaining feature can ensure that all of the assembly components remain together for the life of the assembly by rendering it impossible to remove or replace the shackle or other rigging element without apparent damage to the system. The element retaining feature can be, for example, a substantially triangular gusset welded to one thimble leg, but not the other. Disclosed methods for making such a captivated wire rope assembly require no welding after the wire rope has been placed in the thimble, thus preventing damage to the wire rope or other assembly components.

Abstract: A captivated wire rope assembly can comprise a wire rope, shackle, ferrule, and wire rope thimble having an element retaining feature. The element retaining feature can ensure that all of the assembly components remain together for the life of the assembly by rendering it impossible to remove or replace the shackle or other rigging element without apparent damage to the system. The element retaining feature can be, for example, a substantially triangular gusset welded to one thimble leg, but not the other. Disclosed methods for making such a captivated wire rope assembly require no welding after the wire rope has been placed in the thimble, thus preventing damage to the wire rope or other assembly components.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a link for joining mooring lines having an eye at their joining end, characterized in that the link comprises two side plates joined by two hollow, cylindrical or non-cylindrical shafts, which shafts have a diameter which allows the bending of a polymer line around it without causing breakage to the strands of the polymer line.

Abstract: A captivated wire rope assembly can comprise a wire rope, shackle, ferrule, and wire rope thimble having an element retaining feature. The element retaining feature can ensure that all of the assembly components remain together for the life of the assembly by rendering it impossible to remove or replace the shackle or other rigging element without apparent damage to the system. The element retaining feature can be, for example, a substantially triangular gusset welded to one thimble leg, but not the other. Disclosed methods for making such a captivated wire rope assembly require no welding after the wire rope has been placed in the thimble, thus preventing damage to the wire rope or other assembly components.

Abstract: A thimble providing a first convex surface about a first axis and a second convex surface about a second axis, the first and second axes being substantially perpendicular to each other and the first and second surfaces being opposite each other, the thimble being such that a first length of elongate material can be wrapped over said first convex surface and back on itself to form a first loop around the thimble and a second length of elongate material can then be wrapped over said second convex surface through said first loop and back on itself to form a second loop around the thimble.

Abstract: For mounting a structural panel to a wall, a wire clip is provided having a bail portion formed in an annular shape for insertion of a fastener element and fastening into an anchor member of the wall, and an arm portion extending from the bail portion having a linear shape for insertion into the inner core of the panel at an exposed lateral edge. The bail portion is offset from the arm portion both in a lateral direction and in a thickness direction of the panel so as to position the bail portion toward the wall anchor member when the arm portion is inserted into the inner core of the panel. The invention also includes the related method for mounting a structural panel to a wall using the wire clip device. In the preferred method, the panel is of the type having outer metal face sheets adhesively bonded to an inner plastic corrugated core formed with undulating corrugation spaces into which the arm portions of the wire clips are inserted.

Abstract: A thimble insert for placement in a thimble eye of a cable, the thimble insert including a rigid body having a groove therein for engagement with the thimble and a slot for receipt of an anchor device engaged by the thimble eye. The body can be prepared with either a cylindrical or a tear drop profile and may be fabricated as a two-piece assembly.

Abstract: A high compression thimble is disclosed for use with fiber and particularly wire rope, either spliced thereto or used with compression sleeves. A ring is securely welded within an enlarged semi-circular lower end of the thimble to snugly receive an attachment device, such as a pin therethrough, and the thimble is particularly adapted for high stress uses such as the securement of marine rigging ends as well as other uses involving heavy equipment or the like.

Abstract: An adjustable tie-down for newly planted trees and other similar purposes includes a ground inserted stake and a hollow braided flexible line or rope for attachment between a tree and the stake. The line has a loop formed on one end for engagement with the stake and a loop at the other end for positioning around the crotch area or juncture of a tree trunk and limb and an intermediate portion that is longitudinally adjustable in a unique manner which enables the adjustment to be accomplished after the tie-down has been assembled with respect to the stake and tree. The longitudinal adjustment is obtained by doubling the end portion of the tie-down to define the loop with a portion of the doubled line passing interiorly of and longitudinally of the hollow braided line and with portions of the doubled line being provided with spaced plastic sleeves which serve as keepers to secure the line in an adjusted relationship, but enabling easy and quick longitudinal adjustment thereof.

Abstract: Light weight component (FIG. 1) comprising hollow, tubular member (A) with load transmission means (B) at its ends and filaments (E) in a plastic matrix C encircling the member and transmission means may be used as tension compression member. The tubular member preferably is a pultrusion adapted to contain sufficient filaments to tensilely strengthen the component. The component may be made, for example, by winding or wrapping filaments about the member while load transmission means are at its ends.

Abstract: A tensioning device for maintaining tension in ropes, cables and the like is disclosed. The device includes a boss member over which one of the lines passes and which changes the direction of the line and a pair of pivoting gripping members which are designed to allow one of the lines to pass freely in one direction but to prohibit motion of the line in the opposite direction. The device may be employed to tension lines such as tent lines, clotheslines and the like.

Abstract: A rope fitting is provided for heavy ropes usable for securing large ships to single point mooring buoys and the like as a substitute for conventional thimbles. The crown of an eye formed in the rope is fitted with a sheave and both are encapsulated in a suitable material such as urethane plastic thereby forming a plug which can be inserted in a shroud attachable by a cylindrical bore to a shackle by a shackle bolt. The sheave distributes the load to the rope eye. The unit is much lighter in weight than conventional gear, reducing shipping costs and is capable of being fitted to hardware in the field without trained personnel or special equipment. More than one rope can be so connected to a single multishroud unit.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with an anchor and coupler unit for use with stressing cables in reinforced concrete structures. The unit comprises a base plate having an aperture therethrough and supporting a cable anchor the body of which includes an external surface curved convexly towards the socket base and spaced apart therefrom and adapted to receive a looped end of a reinforcing cable wherein the body is preferably separate from the base plate and the latter in the form of a socket which has a peripheral flange extending towards the cable anchor body and a conical housing around the aperture extending on the opposite side of the plate to the flange. Also the anchor preferably has a pair of oppositely extending semi-cylindrical projections each providing a curved surface spaced from the base plate.

Abstract: An apparatus for anchoring a ring tensioning member in a circular container, especially a concrete tank or a concrete tube, characterized by a hemispherical anchorage body being located in a recess in the wall thickness of the container in overhung position having on its circumference at least one slot and through bores for a bracing cable. The bracing cable which has been inserted in the wall of said container and prestressed by a stretching mechanism will be anchored in said anchorage body, whereafter the recess will be covered in such a way as to be in alignment with the surface of said container.

Abstract: A friction grommet for securing and retaining the end portion of a rope, comprising a bottom piece and a locking lid piece adapted to be secured together. The bottom piece comprises an upright and a pin extending from one side thereof, the upright having an axial aperture and beams projecting radially into the aperture to define groove therebetween. The locking lid piece comprises an upright extending from one side thereof and having radially projecting locking beams adapted to fit into the grooves of the bottom piece upright and to engage the beams of the bottom piece upright when the bottom piece and locking lid piece are secured together by inserting the locking lid piece upright within the bottom piece upright and turning one piece relative to the other. The bottom piece and locking lid piece are provided with cooperating locking means which serve to prevent relative rotation thereof when they are secured together in predetermined relation.

Abstract: Fittings are provided for use in terminating parallel yarn ropes containing one or more electrical conductors, and methods are disclosed for securing the fittings to the ropes to afford separation of the conductors from the rope and connection to electrical apparatus. One fitting has a frusto-conical body portion providing a tapered peripheral surface with an axial bore and a bail extending beyond the base of the body. The rope yarns are inserted into the bore at the narrow end of the fitting and divided into two pairs of bundles with each pair being splayed outward diametrically of the bore and returned along the outside of the fitting for wrapping helically in opposite directions for a predetermined distance about the periphery of the rope. The ends of the bundles are secured to the rope, so that when tension is applied between the bail and the rope, the wrapped bundles grip the outside of the rope to mount the fitting securely to the rope.