[0001] The present invention concerns a clamping element for a guide line, in particular
for a rope, thread or such which is stretched so as to be able to carry out certain
works, such as bricklaying, the alignment of roofings, the staking out of buildings,
etc.
[0002] In particular, the invention aims a clamping element which makes it possible to stretch
a guide line between two fixed points.
[0003] Clamping elements for a guide line are already known in various shapes and were described
among others in US 2.544.645, US 2.834.112, US 3.183.595, FR 2.611.223 and DE-G 9202270.
However, these known embodiments are disadvantageous in that either the fastening
of the guide line is rather complicated or in that the fastening system used hereby
has a complex construction.
[0004] Further, a device is known from FR 1.425.083 which makes it possible to fasten a
rope onto it. However, the device described herein is specifically meant for applying
a pull rope on an electric switch or also for fastening ropes on board of ships, and
it is not suited as such as a clamping element for a guide line.
[0005] The invention aims a clamping element which does not have the above-mentioned disadvantages.
[0006] The invention also aims to offer a clamping element which is very convenient, in
other words with which a guide line can be very easily stretched between two fixed
points and whereby said guide line can be moved and retensioned in a minimum amount
of time.
[0007] To this aim, the invention concerns a clamping element for a guide line, characterized
in that it mainly consists of a body, which is provided with means which make it possible
for the body to cooperate with a fixed support, and of a wire strain mechanism which
consists of a V-shaped seat for the guide line made of ribs positioned at an angle.
[0008] The clamping element according to the invention makes it possible for the line to
be clamped as well as for the clamping element to be kept in place by the mere tensile
force of the guide line. The wire strain mechanism provides for a self- clamping action.
[0009] According to a preferred embodiment, the clamping element is made such that it can
be fixed to the guide line at any place whatsoever, without touching the end of the
guide line, such that for example a wound-up end does not need to be unwound.
[0010] According to yet another preferred embodiment, the guide line is kept in place by
means of a wire guide which does not only make sure that the line is in the right
place as a guide line, but that it can also move freely in this place, in an upward
and downward going movement, without making the clamping element shift, so that the
guide line will always go back to the same position after it has been touched by the
persons working alongside of it, as opposed to the existing clamping elements which
shift when the guide line is touched.
[0011] According to yet another preferred embodiment, the clamping element is provided with
locking agents in the shape of one or several recesses via which the guide line can
be led off. This makes it possible to fix the remaining end of a guide line in such
a recess so as not to be hindered by the remaining end of the line which is not used,
and to prevent this end from counteracting the good working of the clamping element
on a windy day. Moreover, thanks to the presence of such a recess it is also possible
to fasten two guide lines.
[0012] In order to better explain the characteristics of the invention, the following preferred
embodiment is described, as an example only without being limitative in any way, with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
figure 1 shows a guide line which is stretched by means of clamping elements according
to the invention;
figure 2 shows a view according to arrow F2 in figure 1;
figure 3 shows a clamping element according to the invention in perspective;
figure 4 shows a section according to line IV-IV in figure 3;
figures 5 and 6 show views according to arrows F5 and F6 in figure 3;
figures 7 and 8 show sections according to lines VII-VII and VIII-VIII in figure 4.
[0013] As shown in figures 1 and 2, the invention concerns a clamping element 1 which makes
it possible for a guide line 2 to be stretched between two fixed points 3 and 4. In
the example shown, the fixed points 3 and 4 consist of upright struts 5 and 6, and
the guide line 2 is meant for laying bricks 7 of a wall 8 to be erected alongside
of it.
[0014] For the stretching of the guide line 2, use can be made of two clamping elements
1 according to the invention. According to a variant, the guide line 2 can also be
fixed with one end in a conventional manner, while it is fixed with its other end
by means of a clamping element 1 according to the invention.
[0015] As shown in figures 3 to 8, the clamping element 1 according to the invention mainly
consists of a body 9, which is provided with means 10 which makes it possible for
the body 9 to cooperate with a fixed support, for example the above-mentioned strut
5 or 6, and of a wire strain mechanism 11 which consists of a V-shaped seat 12 for
the guide line 2, which is made up of ribs 13 positioned at an angle.
[0016] The above-mentioned means 10 consist of supporting means which allow for a press-on
action against a fixed support through the agency of the tensile force in the guide
line 2. These supporting means preferably consist of at least one supporting surface
14 which extends diagonally on the clamping direction of the guide line 2. Preferably,
however, the supporting means contain two supporting surfaces 14 and 15 which are
placed perpendicular or almost perpendicular in relation to one another, such that
the clamping element 1 can be placed against an angle, as schematically represented
in figure 4.
[0017] The angle A between the supporting surfaces 14 and 15 is preferably somewhat smaller
than 900, preferably 880. Thus, a more stable positioning is obtained. For, since
the angle A is smaller than 900, the clamping element 1 cannot possibly tilt.
[0018] The supporting surface 14, and possibly also the supporting surface 15, may consist
of an antiskid surface, for example because it underwent a specific surface treatment,
such as roughening, such that a possible sliding in relation to the profile 5 or 6,
or in relation to any other support, is avoided.
[0019] As shown in figures 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8, the wire strain mechanism 11 is preferably
provided with several pairs of ribs 13, such in order to obtain a better clamping.
[0020] As represented in figures 7 and 8, the ribs 13 preferably have a triangular section.
The tops of the ribs 13 may be whether or not slightly rounded.
[0021] Further, the clamping element 1 is also provided with a wire guide 16 which provides
for a reference plane 17 which determines the position of the guide line 2.
[0022] The reference plane 17 extends transversely and is situated at such a distance from
the supporting surface 15 that a guide line 2 with a conventional thickness fits precisely
in between the reference plane 17 and for example the strut 6, such that the guide
line 2 makes contact with the strut 6, but can still move freely sideways. This offers
the advantage mentioned in the introduction that the clamping element does not shift
when the guide line is touched and that the guide line always returns in the right
position.
[0023] Further, it can be provided with a wire feed-through duct 18 which preferably has
a closed or almost closed periphery.
[0024] According to the most preferred embodiment, the clamping element 1 is provided with
means 19 which make it possible to simplify the application of the guide line 2 in
the wire feed-through duct 18, whereas the coming loose if it is made difficult and/or
is excluded.
[0025] In the example shown, these means 19 mainly consist of a narrowing wire insertion
duct 20 which, as represented in figure 5, opens into the wire feed-through duct 18
with its narrowest end, such that the guide line 2 must be drawn through this wire
insertion duct 20 under low tension. The inlet 21 of the wire insertion duct 20 is
hereby preferably chosen larger than the thickness of the guide line 2 which will
be used, whereas the outlet 22 is chosen somewhat smaller than the thickness of the
guide line 2.
[0026] In order to further simplify the wire insertion, a slanted surface 23 can be provided
which leads to the wire insertion duct 20.
[0027] In order to further prevent the guide line 2 from coming loose, it is recommended
to shift the wire insertion duct 20 sideways in relation to the centre of the seat
12.
[0028] The above-described means 19 make it possible for the clamping element 1 to be fixed
at any place of the guide line 2 without having to go via the end of the guide line
2.
[0029] In order to prevent the guide line 2 from coming loose out of the wire strain mechanism
11, locking agents 24 can be provided at the free end of the guide line 2, which for
example consist of one or several recesses 25 through which the guide line 2 can be
led off.
[0030] A variant of such a recess is schematically represented in figure 4 with reference
26.
[0031] The overall construction of the clamping element 1 is preferably L-shaped. To this
end, it has two parallel, L-shaped walls 27 and 28 with walls 29 and 30 situated perpendicular
onto these at the interior angles, whose sides directed towards each other form the
above-mentioned supporting surfaces 14 and 15. The above-mentioned V-shaped seat 12
is situated between the walls 27 and 28.
[0032] The clamping element 1 is preferably made such that the above-mentioned wire guide
16 is situated at a crosscut end; that the wire feed-through duct 18 is situated behind
the wire guide 16; that the wire strain mechanism 11 is situated behind the wire feed-through
duct 18; that the wire guide 16, the wire feed-through duct 18 and the wire strain
mechanism 11 are situated on one leg of the L-shape; and that the locking agents 24
are situated on the other leg of the L-shape.
[0033] The seat 12 may be provided with bevels 31 which make it possible for the guide line
2 to be easily placed in this seat 12.
[0034] The clamping element 1 is preferably made in one piece of synthetic material.
[0035] The use and working of such a clamping element 1 can be easily derived from the figures.
Most of all, the working becomes clear from figure 4.
[0036] The guide line 2 is provided in the clamping element 1 as represented in figure 4.
[0037] When a guide line 2 is applied, it is first fixed on one end. On the other end, the
clamping element 1 is placed against the related fixed support, and one only has to
exert a force F on the guide line 2. After it has been loosened, the guide line 2
will automatically secure itself in the V-shaped seat 12, through the agency of the
tensile force in the guide line 2. Due to this tensile force, also the clamping element
1 is pressed against the fixed support and maintained there.
[0038] The fact that the guide line 2 cannot come loose out of the wire feed-through duct
18 thanks to the means 19, offers the advantage that the clamping element 1 stays
on the guide line 2, even when the clamping element 1 is being dropped. For the clamping
element 1 usually cannot slide off of the guide line 2, since a spool 32, as represented
in figure 2, or such, is provided at the end of the guide line 2. This offers the
advantage that the clamping element 1 can be pulled up again with the guide line 2,
such that for example a bricklayer does not have to come off his scaffold to pick
up the clamping element 1.
[0039] The present invention is by no means limited to the embodiment described by way of
example and represented in the drawings; on the contrary, such a clamping element
can be made in various forms and dimensions while still remaining within the scope
of the invention.
1. Clamping element for a guide line, characterized in that it mainly consists of
a body (9), which is provided with means (10) which make it possible for the body
(9) to cooperate with a fixed support, and of a wire strain mechanism (11) which consists
of a V-shaped seat (12) for the guide line (2) made of ribs (13) positioned at an
angle.
2. Clamping element according to claim 1, characterized in that the above-mentioned
means (10) consist of supporting means which allow for a press-on action against a
fixed support through the agency of the tensile force in the guide line (2).
3. Clamping element according to claim 2, characterized in that the supporting means
consist of at least one supporting surface (14) which extends diagonally on the clamping
direction.
4. Clamping element according to claim 3, characterized in that the supporting means
consist of two supporting surfaces (14, 15) which are placed perpendicular or almost
perpendicular in relation to one another, such that the clamping element (1) can be
placed against an angle.
5. Clamping element according to claim 3, characterized in that the angle (A) between
the two supporting surfaces (14, 15) is preferably somewhat smaller than 90 °
6. Clamping element according to any of claims 3, 4 or 5, characterized in that at
least the surface (14) which extends diagonally on the clamping direction consist
of an antiskid surface.
7. Clamping element according to any of the above claims, characterized in that the
ribs (13) have a triangular section.
8. Clamping element according to any of the above claims, characterized in that it
is provided with several pairs of ribs (13).
9. Clamping element according to any of the above claims, characterized in that it
is provided with a wire guide (16)
which provides for a reference plane (17), whereby a seat is provided under said reference
plane (17) which allows for a crosswise movement of the guide line (2).
10. Clamping element according to any of the above claims, characterized in that it
has a wire feed-through duct (18).
11. Clamping element according to claim 10, characterized in that it is provided with
means (19) which make it possible to simplify the application of the guide line (2)
in the wire feed-through duct (18), whereas the coming loose of it is made difficult
and/or is excluded.
12. Clamping element according to claim 11, characterized in that the above-mentioned
means (19) mainly consist of a narrowing wire insertion duct (20) which opens into
the wire feed-through duct (18) with its narrowest end.
13. Clamping element according to claim 12, characterized in that the inlet (21) of
the wire insertion duct (20) is larger than the thickness of the guide line (2) which
will be used, whereas the outlet (22) is smaller than the thickness of this guide
line (2).
14. Clamping element according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the wire insertion
duct (20) is shifted sideways in relation to the centre of the V-shaped seat (12).
15. Clamping element according to any of the above claims, characterized in that it
is provided with locking agents (24) at the free end of the guide line (2).
16. Clamping element according to claim 15, characterized in that the locking agents
(24) consist of at least one recess (25; 26) through which the guide line (2) can
be led off.
17. Clamping element according to any of the above claims, characterized in that it
is L-shaped, to which end it has two parallel, L-shaped walls (27, 28) with walls
(29, 30) situated perpendicular onto these at the interior angles, and in that the
above-mentioned V-shaped seat (12) is situated between the two first-mentioned walls
(27,28).
18. Clamping element according to claims 9, 10, 16 and 17, characterized in that the
above-mentioned wire guide (16) is situated at a crosscut end; in that the wire feed-through
duct (18) is situated behind the wire guide (16); in that the wire strain mechanism
(11) is situated behind the wire feed-through duct (18); in that the wire guide (16),
the wire feed-through duct (18) and the wire strain mechanism (11) are situated on
one leg of the L-shape; and in that the locking agents (24) are situated on the other
leg of the L-shape.
19. Clamping element according to any of the above claims, characterized in that it
is made in one piece of synthetic material.