US3899158A

US3899158A - Handline snatch block

Info

Publication number: US3899158A
Application number: US400638A
Authority: US
Inventors: Gordon W Johnson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1973-09-25
Filing date: 1973-09-25
Publication date: 1975-08-12
Anticipated expiration: 1992-08-12

Abstract

A handline snatch block in one preferred embodiment using many fiberglass portions, weighs only 1 pound, is only 8 inches long, uses a 3 inch sheave which rotates on a 1/2 inch diameter axle subassembly, is safely rated at 1,000 pounds and is tested to support 4,000 pounds, in convenient handling and lifting loads. The utilization of fiberglass materials reduces the weight, helps in protecting users, such as electrical linemen, from electrical shock, and eliminates deterioration caused by corrosion.

Description

United States Patent Johnson Aug. 12, 1975 [5 HANDLINE SNATCH BLOCK 3,199,841 8/1965 McRean 254/193 3 77 95 1 1973 l 25419 [76] Inventor: Gordon w. Johnson, 6163 NE. l/ mes 5 185th Seattle Wash 98007 Primary ExaminerRobert J. Spar [22] Filed: Sept, 25, 1973 Assistant Examiner-Kenneth Noland pp NO: 400,638 Attorney, Agent, or Fzrm-Roy E. Mattern, Jr.

' [57] ABSTRACT [:2] BS8]; 254/l9 g6zg4lgg A handline Snatch block in one preferred embodiment 'P i 195 using many fiberglass portions, weighs only 1 pound, is 1 0 are only 8 inches long, uses a 3 inch sheave which rotates on a /2 inch diameter axle subassembly, is safely rated [56] References cued at 1,000 pounds and is tested to support 4,000 UNITED STATES PATENTS pounds, in convenient handling and lifting loads. The 765,475 7/1904 Gilchrist 254/193 utilization of fiberglass materials reduces the weight, 806,562 12/1905 Opsal 254/193 helps in protecting users, such as electrical linemen, 823,231 6/1906 Tarbox 254/193 f electrical Shock, and eliminates deterioration 1,672,823 6/1928 McMillan.... 254/193 caused by corrosion 2,649,282 8/1953 Fate, Jr 254/193 3,042,378 7/1962 Preston 254/193 1 Claim, 5 Drawing Figures HANDLINE SNATCH BLOCK This handline snatch block has a load receiving and transmitting body. Centrally, in a formed cavity, this body receives the threaded shank of a load receiving ring and a securement subassembly therefor. Transversely, in pivot rod receiving supports, this body also receives pivot rod subassemblies which extend beyond on through spaced pivot rod receiving yoke portions of each depending side housing. On one side of the handline snatch block, the pivot rod subassembly is riveted into place and on the other side, the pivot rod subassembly is removably threaded in place, using in turn a bolt and nut subassembly. Also the load receiving and transmitting body, adjacent the spaced pivot rod receiving yoke portions of each depending side housing, has slightly spaced therefrom, matching contour filling backup abutment portions, which stand ready to back up and steady the spaced pivot rod receiving yoke portions of each depending side housing when they are under heavy loads, which would otherwise tend to cause excessive distortion of these yoke portions and also other portions of the depending side' housings.

Each depending side housing, in addition to its spaced pivot rod receiving yoke portions has: complementary receiving cavities on the inside, to partially receive the outer flanges of a sheave; centrally located formed passageways to receive the various portions of an axle subassembly, inclusive of depressable and/or crushable circular rib portions, which are effectively used upon tightening the axle subassembly; and extended depending and transverse abuttable portions ultimately riveted together, upon assembly, to complete the support of the sheave and to help in confining a rope line passing over the sheave of this assembled handline snatch block.

An axle subassembly rotatably confines the sheave within the pair of depending side housings. It has a rotatable cylindrical shaft sleeve matched externally to fit into a bushing located within the sheave, and matched internally to receive a headed threaded bolt of a bolt and nut fastener subassembly serving as this axle subassembly. The headed bolt and nut of this fastener subassembly, are non rotatably fitted into the outer extremities of the centrally located formed passageway of each depending side housing.

Upon the initial assembly of this handline snatch block, before the depending side housings are secured by rivet subassemblies and pivot rod subassemblies, and after the sheave, its bushing, the cylindrical shaft sleeve, and the headed threaded bolt and nut fastener subassembly are all prepositioned, the depending side housings are then rotated, one relative to the other. As they hold the bolt head and nut captive, this fastener subassembly, serving as the axle subassembly, is firmly tightened. The depressable and/r crushable circular rib portions effectively compensate for the captive holding of the bolt head and nut, and the overall secure tightening of the axle subassembly is assured upon the first tightening and so remains.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Pulley blocks, such as described by Gilchrist in his U.S. Pat. No. 977,613 of 1910, have previously included desirable features such as his lubrication reservoir and the back up portion of the body. McKissick in his U.S. Pat. No. 2,474,433 in 1949, indicated improvements ina snatch block such as his bolt and nut axle subassembly. Fate in his U.S. Pat. No. 2,649,282 showed other improvements in a snatch block in 1953 such as housings receiving the edge portions of the sheave. Seamans and lngalls in 1962 in their U.S. Pat. No. 3,050,286 illustrated the housing portions of a pulley block abutting and mating above and below the sheave axle. Silberger in his U.S. Pat. No. 3,250,516 described and illustrated in 1966, his hoist bottom block inclusive of a new removable securement means for his lifting hook subassembly,

These patent disclosures, and other observations of many pulley blocks and snatch block indicate, that although many prior designs offer one or more advantages, none singly or considered together offer all of the advantages of the handline snatch block, illustrated and described herein, which within a comparatively small overall size envelope provides for the safe and convenient handling of comparatively heavy loads.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A handline snatch block of comparatively lighter weight handles comparatively larger lifting loads, as it is made by utilizing many fiberglass materials. They are molded with smooth contours and present electrical insulating portions, and all such portions are inherently free of corrosion. Moreover, these fiberglass portions are formed and secured together to be especially strong and to be kept free from excessive deflections and/or distortions. As a consequence, in one embodiment, weighing only 1 pound and extending 8 inches in overall length, l,0OO pound rated loads are safely handled, as this unit is well pre-tested, to handle loads up to 4,000 pounds.

Upon initial assembly, there is a utilization of depressable and/or crushable circular rib portions in the depending side housings, which also hold captive the bolt head and nut of a fastener subassembly utilized with a sleeve to serve as a sheave axle means. As the depending side housings are rotated, one relative to the other, the nut and bolt are completely tightened, with the depressable and/or crushable circular rib portions compensating for the otherwise sometimes awkward situation which would otherwise occur when the captive bolt and nut would not be in a position to allow for the final tightening.

Both depending side housings are transversely supported in three places: below, as the transverse abutments secured by a riveted subassembly; midway, when secured by the bolt, nut and sleeve axle subassembly; and above, at transverse pivot rod receiving supports of the load receiving and transmitting body. At this location above, the depending side housings have their spaced pivot rod receiving yoke portions secured on one side of the handline snatch block by a rivet subassembly and on the other side by a bolt and nut subassembly, wherein the nut is held captive in the housing, and the bolt is kept on a tether screwed in turn to adjacent depending side housing.

Although the terms, below and above, are used in reference to the mode of use of the handline snatch block, wherein there is a rope line running up and over the sheave, it is to be realized, the handline snatch block may be inverted and used to follow and travel over a rope line, which is extended between two somewhat distant locations, thereby serving as a transporting means as well as a lifting or holding means. In either mode of use, the intentional removal of the bolt and nut subassembly, serving as the pivot rod, is easily undertaken, and thereafter the load receiving and transmitting body is pivoted to clear an entry or exit for the rope line, eliminating and need for threading the full length of the rope line through this handline snatch block.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A preferred embodiment of the handline snatch block is illustrated throughout the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the handline snatch block arranged in its mode of use, where a rope line comes up and over the sheave, to handle the raising and/or lowering of a load, as the snatch block is held secure from above at its load receiving ring;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the handline snatch block arranged in a definite mode of use, where a rope line is stretched between two somewhat distant locations and the snatch block is moved over the rope while supporting a load from its load receiving ring, which is not located below the sheave, and also in this view, the pivoting of the load receiving and transmitting body to clear the entry for the rope is illustrated, the bolt and nut subassembly, being unthreaded, which, when secured, serves as the pivot rod subassembly holding the depending side housing, through its yoke portions, to the load receiving and transmitting body;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view in perspective with directional center lines indicating the assembly of the various components of the handline snatch block; the load receiving and transmitting body being in its cleared position to provide an entry for the rope line to the sheave; and

FIGS. 4 and 5, being partial and enlarged views, illustrate the location of one of the two depressable and/or crushable circular rib portions, which become effective during the initial tightening assembly of the handline snatch block; FIG. 4 being a partial side elevation of one depending side housing looking into the overall recess into which a nut or bolt head is held captive and indicating the position of the circular rib,'and FIG. 5 being an enlarged cross section, taken on section line 5-5 of FIG. 4, to further illustrate the circular rib and its location, relative both to the recess which receives the nut or bolt head, and to the other nearby portions of the central passageway of the respective depending side housing. I

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Two Modes of Use A handline snatch block is illustrated in FIG. 1 in its mode of use supported from above by a rope 12 utilizing its load receiving ring 14 and receiving a load lifting and lowering rope 16 from below, which moves up and over its sheave 18. Whereas, in FIG. 2, the handline snatch block 10 is illustrated in its mode of use, wherein it is rollably supported on a conveyor rope 20, which is secured between somewhat distant locations, not shown, and a load being conveyed, which is not shown, is supported below by a load supporting rope 22.

In FIG. 2, the load receiving and transmitting body 24 is illustrated in its pivoted position so the handline snatch block 10 could be easily lowered down over the conveyor rope 20. This body 24 is also cleared away to receive the load lifting and lowering rope 16, as sug gested upon viewing FIG. 1.

Quick Access to Rope To accomplish this quick clearance by pivotally posi tioning the body 24, the pivot rod subassembly 26 lo cated through opening 27 on this transverse pivot rod receiving support 28 of body 24, comprises a bolt and nut subassembly 30. It is quickly unthreaded, and then the bolt 32 is pulled out of the support 28 and also pulled out of the

holes

33, 35 in the spaced pivot rod receiving

yoke portions

34, 36 of the respective depending side housing 38. The bolt 32 remains in a nearby position ready for reuse by utilizing a tether 41), which surrounds it and in turn is secured to the depending side housing 38 by a screw 42. The nut 44 remains imbedded in the spaced pivot rod receiving yoke portion 36. During pre-assembly, a washer 41 is placed against the tether 40 and around the bolt 32.

Securement of Load Receiving Ring As illustrated in FIG. 3, the load receiving ring 14 has an abutment flange 46, a threaded shank 48 and a key way 50. It is inserted into a variable cross sectioned central 'cavity 52, formed in the load receiving and transmitting body 24. Thereafter, in succession, a washer 54, nut receiving sleeve 56, nut 58, key 60, and rey retaining cap 62, are all installed to retain the load receiving ring 14 firmly in place.

Rotatable Securement of the Sheave Utilizing Depressable and/or Crushable Circular Ribs The sheave 18 must be rotatably secured in place at or near the outset of the assembly of this handline snatch block 10. Both in depending side housing 38 and in depending side housing 64, near their exteriors, are respective receiving

structures

66 and 68 which non ro tatably hold both the head 70 of axle bolt 72 and the axle nut 74. The sheave 18 in its center opening 75 has a bushing 76 and, as a subassembly, they are slipped over an axle sleeve 78, which has been previously guided over the axle bolt 72, then in position in depending side housing 38, and so held in the non rotatable position. Thereafter, depending side housing 64, with axle nut 74 held in the non rotatable position, is rotated relative to depending side housing 38, thereby advancing axle nut 74 along axle bolt 72. As the final tightening occurs, depressable and crushable integral circular ribs 79 located in the

receiving structures

66, 68, of the depending

side housings

38, 64, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, serve their purpose of accommodating this complete tightening, either by undergoing depression and/or by being crushed.

Dual Rivet and Hollow Rod Fasteners Used at Other Fastening Locations The load receiving and transmitting body 24, is pivotally secured to the depending side housing 64, where the pivot rod receiving support 80 is fitted between spaced pivot rod receiving

yoke portions

82, 84, by using a hollow pivot rod 86 passing through hole 89 and

holes

87 and 89 and rivets 88, arranged in a pressed fit relationship to firmlyhold the parts together. Also the lower extending

portions

90, 92, of each depending

side housing

38, 64, have transversely arranged cylindrical abutting portions 94, 96, which together through holes, 95, 97 receive a hollow pivot rod 86 and rivets 88 arranged in a pressed fit relationship to firmly hold them all together. 1

Protective Partial Edge Covering of Outer Sheave Portions Within the Large Receiving Cavities of the Depending Side Housings The large receiving

cavities

98, 100 on the interiors of depending

side housings

38, 64, receive and protect the

outer sheave portions

102, 104, and thereby keep any portions of the load fitting and lower rope 16, or v the conveyor rope 20, from being snagged, jammed, held, or damaged during load handling operations. In FIG. 5, it is to be noted, there is a recessed structure 106 in each depending

side housing

38, 64, to rotatably receive the respective ends of the axle sleeve 78 during and after the assembly of this handlike snatch block 10.

Reenforcing Abutments As illustratedin FIGS. 1, 2 and 3,. the load receiving and transmitting body 24, adjacent to its own pair of pivot rod receiving supports 28, 80 and also adjacent to the spaced pivot rod receiving

yoke portions

34, 36, and 82, 84, respectively of depending

side housings

38, 64, has slightly spaced therefrom, matching contour filling backup reenforcing concave abutment portions. They stand ready to back up and steady the spaced pivot rod receiving

yoke portions

34, 36 and 82, 84 of each depending

side housing

38, 64, when they are undergoing heavy loads, which would otherwise tend to cause excessive distortion of these yoke portions, and also other portions of these depending side housings.

SUMMARY OF ADVANTAGES By using fiberglass, a relatively lower weight, stronger, corrosion free, non conducting, highly securable, yet quickly adjustable handline snatch block is manufactured and used at lower cost for a longer period of time as it is designed to more successfully withstand excessive loads which might otherwise cause excessive deflections and distortions and possible serious damage.

I claim:

1. A handline snatch block having many components made of fiberglass and arranged for the excellent distribution of otherwise deflecting and distorting loads, and also arranged for two possible modes of operation, and at all times being quickly adjustable to insert and to withdraw a portion of a rope line with respect to its passage over the sheave, comprising:

a. a load receiving and transmitting body having a centrally located vertical formed cavity to position and hold a load receiving means, and having integral opposite transversely extending body portions serving as integral pivot rod receiving supports with a horizontal formed cavity to receive respective pivot rod subassemblies, and having additional integral opposite transversely extending body portions spaced in pairs on respective sides of the said integral opposite transversely extending body portions which serve as the integral pivot rod receiving supports, each said pair of additional integral opposite transversely extending body portion terminating outwardly in a concave reenforcing abutment to come into play when the handline is subjected to high loading;

b. a load receiving means having a head portion to be secured to a load line, having a threaded shank to be positioned through the centrally located vertical formed cavity of the said lead receiving and transmitting body, and having a subassembly of a bushing, washer, nut, locking pin, and lock nut, for securing the said threaded shank in the said centrally located cavity; 1

c. two spaced depending side housings having at their top integral paired and spaced convex pivot rod receiving supports, to complementary fit in the said concave reenforcing abutments of the said load receiving and transmitting body, with horizontal formed cavities to receive respective pivot rod subassemblies, which also are received in the said integral opposite transverse extending body portions of the said load receiving and transmitting body, to be thereby rotatably secured to the load receiving and transmitting body, having at their bottom integral extended receiving transverse supports having transverse cavities to receive a bottom securement subassembly of rivets and. a sleeve, having at their integral mid portions on their insides a recessed structure to accommodate portions of a sheave, having at their integral mid portions on their outsides, a formed recess to non rotatably position end portions of an axle subassembly, at least one said outside recess having a circular crushable rib to be deformed during the initial rotative assembly of the said depending side housings, and also having at their integral mid portions a transverse hole to accommodate portions of an axle subassembly; V

d. an axle subassembly of a bolt, sleeve, and nut, in

serted through the transverse holes of the said re spective integral mid portions of the said two spaced depending side housings, the final tightening of this axle subassembly, after installation of a sheave, occurring as the two said spaced depending side housings are rotated relative to one another until firmly contacting the ends of the said sleeve of this axle subassembly, the complete tightening being assured as the said circular crushable rib is deformed to the extent necessary as the said formed recesses non rotatably position the said end portions of the axle subassembly;

e. a sheave for placement on the said axle subassembly and positioned between said two spaced depending side housings for partial interfitting within their said inside recesses;

f. a bottom securement subassembly of rivets and a sleeve to secure together the said bottom integral extended receiving transverse supports of the said two spaced depending side housings; and

g. pivot rod securement subassemblies to rotatably secure the said two spaced depending side housings at their respective said spaced convex pivot rod receiving supports to the load receiving and transmitting body at its said integral opposite transversely extending body portions, one of these said pivot rod securement subassemblies having two rivets and a sleeve for riveted securement, and the other of these said pivot rod securement subassemblies having a sleeve, a pull out pin, and a secured tether to keep the pull out pin from falling away from the adjacent said depending side housing, the said pull out pin upon its withdrawal, clearing the respective said depending side housing at its top for outwardly pivoting to gain access to the sheave for removal or insertion of a pulley line.

Claims

1. A handline snatch block having many components made of fiberglass and arranged for the excellent distribution of otherwise deflecting and distorting loads, and also arranged for two possible modes of operation, and at all times being quickly adjustable to insert and to withdraw a portion of a rope line with respect to its passage over the sheave, comprising: a. a load receiving and transmitting body having a centrally located vertical formed cavity to position and hold a load receiving means, and having integral opposite transversely extending body portions serving as integral pivot rod receiving supports with a horizontal formed cavity to receive respective pivot rod subassemblies, and having additional integral opposite transversely extending body portions spaced in pairs on respective sides of the said integral opposite transversely extending body portions which serve as the integral pivot rod receiving supports, each said pair of additional integral opposite transversely extending body portion terminating outwardly in a concave reenforcing abutment to come into play when the handline is subjected to high loading; b. a load receiving means having a head portion to be secured to a load line, having a threaded shank to be positioned through the centrally located vertical formed cavity of the said load receiving and transmitting body, and having a subassembly of a bushing, washer, nut, locking pin, and lock nut, for securing the said threaded shank in the said centrally located cavity; c. two spaced depending side housings having at their top integral paired and spaced convex pivot rod receiving supports, to complementary fit in the said concave reenforcing abutments of the said load receiving and transmitting body, with horizontal formed cavities to receive respective pivot rod subassemblies, which also are received in the said integral opposite transverse extending body portions of the said load receiving and transmitting body, to be thereby rotatably secured to the load receiving and transmitting body, having at their bottom integral extended receiving transverse supports having transverse cavities to receive a bottom securement subassembly of rivets and a sleeve, having at their integral mid portions on their insides a recessed structure to accommodate portions of a sheave, having at their integral mid portions on their outsides, a formed recess to non rotatably position end portions of an axle subassembly, at least one said outside recess having a circular crushable rib to be deformed during the initial rotative assembly of the said depending side housings, and also having at their integral mid portions a transverse hole to accommodate portions of an axle subassembly; d. an axle subassembly of a bolt, sleeve, and nut, inserted through the transverse holes of the said respective integral mid portions of the said two spaced depending side housings, the final tightening of this axle subassembly, after installation of a sheave, occurring as the two said spaced depending side housings are rotated relative to one another until firmly contacting the ends of the said sleeve of this axle subassembly, the complete tightening being assured as the said circular crushable rib is deformed to the extent necessary as the said formed recesses non rotatably position the said end portions of the axle subassembly; e. a sheave for placement on the said axle subassembly and positioned between said two spaced depending side housings for partial interfitting within their said inside recesses; f. a bottom securement subassembly of rivets and a sleeve to secure together the said bottom integral extended receiving transverse supports of the said two spaced depending side housings; and g. pivot rod securement subassemblies to rotatably secure the said two spaced depending side housings at their respective said spaced convex pivot rod receiving supports to the load receiving and transmitting body at its said integral opposite transversely extending body portions, one of these said pivot rod securement subassemblies having two rivets and a sleeve for riveted securement, and the other of these said pivot rod securement subassemblies having a sleeve, a pull out pin, and a secured tether to keep the pull out pin from falling away from the adjacent said depending side housing, the said pull out pin upon its withdrawal, clearing the respective said depending side housing at its top for outwardly pivoting to gain access to the sheave for removal or insertion of a pulley line.