High speed safety block assembly

Details High speed safety block assembly High speed safety block assembly

1998-10-05

2001-06-12

Matecki, Katherine A. (Department: 3653)

Implements or apparatus for applying pushing or pulling force

Device or member for contacting and guiding moving cable

Including rotatable, cable contacting, pulley wheel element

C254S399000, C254S402000, C254S416000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06244570

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The field of the invention is block assemblies for suspending equipment and things with cables and the like.
Block assemblies have long been used to provide a mechanical advantage to reduce the pulling force required to support the load being suspended. For example, when a pair of block assemblies are used together, a 2:1 mechanical advantage is gained. When two pairs of block assemblies are used together, a 4:1 mechanical advantage is provided. Additional mechanical advantage is achieved by increasing the number of block assemblies used. Alternatively, a single block assembly can be used as a pulley to support a load without any mechanical advantage.
In the motion picture industry, especially in the stunt business, equipment and other items are frequently suspended from above with cables or ropes over block assemblies. Typically, the block assembly is high overhead and is not easily seen or inspected. Stunt persons and other actors are also frequently supported by cables using block assemblies. Thus, safety is a great concern, particularly with the reliability of the block assemblies.
When block assemblies are used in the stunt business, there are frequently high performance, reliability and safety demands placed on the equipment used. Thus, there is a need for a block assembly that is capable of supporting very high loads at high rates of speed, while maximizing the safety and reliability of the device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To these ends, there is provided a high speed safety block assembly having first and second cheek plates with a sheave and axle located therebetween. The cheek plates each have a recessed area on their inner surfaces and have interlocking ears that increase the safety of the block assembly. The sheave of the high speed safety block assembly includes a needle bearing that rolls on the bearing surface of the axle. Other and further objects and advantages will appear hereinafter


REFERENCES:
patent: 811191 (1906-01-01), Whiteside
patent: 973177 (1910-10-01), Davis et al.
patent: 1662320 (1928-03-01), McKissick
patent: 2762607 (1956-09-01), Anderson
patent: 5056760 (1991-10-01), Jorgensen
patent: 5154401 (1992-10-01), Schramm et al.
patent: 5538224 (1996-07-01), Powell et al.
Harken Catalog Cover Page and p. 70—“Airblocks”; and p. 71—“Snatch Blocks”; Publication Date: 1993.
Cmi Moving & Handling Catalog Pages relating to “Service Line” Pulleys, 2 pages; Publication Date: 1996.
Wichard Catalog Page and page relating to “Stainless Steel Blocks”; no date available.
PMI-Petzel Catalog Cover Page and page relating to Pulleys-*RA/SMC 1500 Series Rescue Pulley; RA/SMC Industrial Rescue Pulley; and Petzel KOOTENAY Knot-Passing Pulley; no date available.
Harken Catalog Cover Page and p. 70—“Airblocks”; and p. 71—“Snatch Blocks”.
Cmi Moving & Handling Catalog Pages relating to “Service Line” Pulleys, 2 pages.
Wichard Catalog Page and page relating to “Stainless Steel Blocks”.
PMI-Petzel Catalog Cover Page and page relating to Pulleys-RA/SMC 1500 Series Rescue Pulley; RA/SMC Industrial Rescue Pulley; and Petzl KOOTENAY Knot-Passing Pulley.

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