Pulley Block

Abstract

Rope or line block characterized by an intermediate connector disposed between ends of sheave side plates or cheeks and a shackle which, by choice of its position, relative to the cheeks, permits the connector to rotate about an axis perpendicular to the pulley axis or be secured against such rotation in alternative angular positions such as 90.degree. apart, to thereby orient the shackle carried by same in alternative positions. Two shackles of alternative form may be provided, one of which permits the shackle to rotate about a transverse axis of the connector and the other which prevents such rotation.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the art or sport of sailboating it is common practice to employ a myriad of rope or line fittings including blocks which rotatably support one or more sheaves around which the line is trained. The blocks are constructed in many forms, each of which serves a particular purpose in the sail rigging. Various fittings, blocks, and rigging arrangements are disclosed in the catalogue of Seaboard Marine Supply Co., Inc., 214 Montauk Highway, Islip, N.Y.

Such blocks comprise, in general, two or more spaced side plates or cheeks between which a sheave or sheaves are rotatably supported, the cheeks terminating at one side of the sheave, and to which a suitable intermediate connector is secured. The connector, aforesaid, may carry a terminal fitting in the form of an eye or shackle. In one form, for example, identified as style SQ, an intermediate connector is pivotally secured to the cheeks for rotation about an axis parallel to the sheave axis which carries a shackle rotatable about a parallel axis which may be optionally secured to the connector for rotation about an axis 90.degree. to said parallel axis. In another form, identified as style SS, the shackle is similarly mounted but may also rotate about an axis perpendicular to the sheave axis, thus providing a universal joint.

Each of the two types referred to is designed to serve a specific purpose in the rigging and normally are not interchangeable for such purposes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, the present invention provides a block which may serve the purpose of both types referred to by an alternative relative positioning of its parts. As an example of this versatility, the boat rigger may employ a single block type which serves each of the two purposes, as heretofore referred to, or serves both of the purposes. Thus, if the boat rigger at some time during a rerigging, requires two blocks of the same type, rather than different types, the blocks available in his rigging may be readily converted to serve all of the desired purposes, thus obviating discarding an unneeded block. This is also of advantage in the original rigging since the rigger, with only one type of block, may make it serve different purposes.

The end result referred to is attained by providing a connector member, intermediate the block cheeks and shackle, which may be secured to the cheeks in two different positions. In a first position such member may rotate relatively about an axis perpendicular to the sheave axis. In its second position it is restrained against the rotation just referred to. Also, when in the second position it may be optionally secured in two angular positions 90.degree. apart so that the shackle carried by same may be disposed in alternative positions. By an alternative choice of the shackle, the shackle may pivot in the same manner as in the prior art referred to or be non-rotatably affixed to the intermediate connector member, the foregoing being the general objects of the invention.

Further objects, advantages, and salient features will become more apparent from the detailed description to follow, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawing to now be briefly described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a side elevation and section, as viewed in the direction of line 1, FIG. 2, illustrating one position of assembly of the parts;

FIG. 2 is a section taken on line 2--2, FIG. 1, illustrating another position of assembly of the parts;

FIG. 3 is a section taken on line 3--3, FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary section of FIG. 2 illustrating an alternative construction;

FIG. 5 is a like section of FIG. 2 illustrating another alternative construction, and

FIG. 6 is a side elevation of an alternative clevis construction which may be employed in any of the previous figures.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawing, and first to FIGS. 1-3, block 10 comprises a pair of side plates or cheeks 12,12 a between which sheave 14 is disposed and mounted for rotation on a pin 16 which also maintains the cheeks in fixed spaced relationship. The cheeks terminate in ends 18, 18a between which are disposed a spacer 20, a pair of screws 22,22 extending through the cheeks and spacer to maintain the cheeks in fixed spaced relation at the cheek ends. The spacer halves, to be described, may be molded directly to the cheeks.

Spacer 20 is formed of two halves 20a, 20b which abut along a central plane 24 and a circular aperture 26 extends through the spacer halves with a semi-circular aperture in each. A recess 28, square in cross section, surrounds aperture 26. Intermediate connector 30 comprises a circular shank 32 having an enlarged head 34, square in cross section, disposed at one end thereof and a square head 36 disposed at the other end, head 36 being of a size to fit square recess 28. FIG. 1 illustrates one position of the intermediate connector wherein head 36 abuts the lower faces of the spacers, in which position the intermediate connector is free to swivel or rotate about the axis of shank 32. FIG. 2 illustrates an alternative position in which square head 36 is disposed within square recess 28, in which position it is locked to the spacers against swiveling movement relative thereto.

In the assembly of the parts, pin 16 and screws 22 are removed, separating the spacers along their central abutting plane and the intermediate connector is disposed in the selected position (FIG. 1 or FIG. 2) to obtain either swivelling or locked relationship. As will also be apparent, when in locked position, head 36 may be disposed within recess 28 in selected angular position 90.degree. apart. This orients shackle 38, pivotally carried by head 36 on pin 40, in selective positions 90.degree. about the axis of the intermediate connector shank.

FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative form of spacers in which their lower faces are provided with a square recess 28a, which fits head 36, recess 42 being circular and of a diameter to permit square head 36 to swivel therein (as shown). As will be apparent, when in its other position (not shown), the intermediate connector is locked against rotation. An advantage which accrues to this construction, as compared to that of FIGS. 1-3, is that by suitable choice of the length of shank 32, head 36 may be disengaged from recess 28a by axial movement and re-engaged in a 90.degree. position, thus permitting the latter selection without disassembly of the block.

FIG. 5 illustrates another alternative form of the invention wherein recess 28b is closed at the lower side thereof, rather than open as illustrated in the previously described figures. In this construction, which requires disassembly to reposition the parts, recess 22b may be square and the other recess may be circular, to permit swiveling action, or the square and circular recesses may be reversed.

FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative form of shackle 38a, provided with offset shoulders 44, which prevent the shackle from rotating about pin 40.

As illustrated and so far described, head 36 and its cooperating recess are square which permits a choice of 90.degree. shackle orientation which provides a selection which fits the needs of major rigging arrangements. As will be apparent, however, the 90.degree. selection may also be retained with a connector head and cooperating recess having a number of sides which are a multiple of four. For example, an octagonal head and recess provides not only the 90.degree. orientation, but also, intermediate positions 45.degree. therebetween.

Also, while a single sheave block has been illustrated, it will be apparent that it is within the purview of the invention to employ more than one sheave when greater force multiplication is required.

Claims

I claim:

1. In a pulley block of the type having spaced cheeks with at least one sheave rotatably supported therebetween, the cheeks having terminal portions between which an intermediate connector is affixed, said connector having a rigging fitting, such as a shackle, affixed thereto, the improvements, in combination, comprising:

a. a spacer disposed between said terminal portions, said spacer being formed of two members abutting at a separation plane therebetween,

b. an aperture extending through said members with substantially equal portions thereof in each member, the axis of the aperture being disposed in a direction substantially perpendicular to the sheave axis,

c. said connector having a shank adapted to be disposed within said aperture in alternative axially spaced positions therein,

d. said connector having an enlarged non-circular head on one end thereof adapted to engage abutment surfaces on said members,

e. first and second abutment surfaces on said members, each surrounding said aperture and spaced axially therealong,

f. the first of said abutment surfaces being of a shape to receive said head and prevent rotation thereof relative to said members,

g. the second abutment surface being of a shape to permit said head to rotate relative to said members, and

h. means for detachably securing said members between said cheeks,

i. the construction and arrangement being such that when said members are separated, said head may be selectively disposed adjacent either of said abutments, said head having a number of equally spaced sides which is a multiple of four, whereby said head, when disposed adjacent the first abutment surface, may be disposed in angular relative positions which are 90.degree. apart.

2. A block in accordance with claim 1 wherein said head is square in cross section.

3. A block in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means for detachably securing said members between said cheeks includes bolts disposed at opposite sides of said aperture.

4. A block in accordance with claim 1 wherein said rigging fitting is a shackle secured to said connector by a pivot pin.

5. A block in accordance with claim 4 wherein the shackle is so constructed to rotate about the pivot pin.

6. A block in accordance with claim 4 wherein the shackle is so constructed to be non-rotatable about the pivot pin.