US-12624718-B2 - Turnbuckle device

US12624718B2US 12624718 B2US12624718 B2US 12624718B2US-12624718-B2

Abstract

A turnbuckle device for tensioning a safety line includes a body having a pair of opposing ends, with each end having a threaded bore. The turnbuckle device further includes a pair of connectors, with each connector having a threaded shaft configured for being received in the threaded bore of one of the pair of opposing ends of the body. The turnbuckle device further includes a handle connected to the body. The handle is movable between a stowed position and an operational position. In the operational position, the handle is configured for facilitating rotation of the body about a longitudinal axis of the body.

Inventors

Jacob Squire

Assignees

LATCHWAYS PLC

Dates

Publication Date: 20260512
Application Date: 20200805
Priority Date: 20190807

Claims (6)

1 . A turnbuckle system, comprising: a safety line; a body having a pair of opposing ends, with each end having a threaded bore; a pair of connectors, with each connector having a threaded shaft configured for being received in the threaded bore of one of the pair of opposing ends of the body, each connector being configured to be coupled to a portion of the safety line; a handle connected to the body, wherein the handle is movable between a stowed position and an operational position, wherein, in the operational position, the handle is configured for facilitating rotation of the body about a longitudinal axis of the body and the handle projects outwardly at 90 degrees and acts as a lever fixed to the body to enable the body to be rotated about its longitudinal axis in order to either increase or relax tension in the safety line by drawing the connectors together or forcing them apart; and a securing arrangement for securing the handle in the stowed position so that the handle does not project or swing outwardly to the operational position, wherein the handle is integrally and pivotally mounted at one end of the body by a pivot connection, wherein the body encompasses an integral pivot mounting support for the handle with one end of the handle being connected to the pivot mounting support via the pivot connection, and the handle is movable through 90 degrees between the stowed position and the operational position, wherein the handle is limited to rotate beyond the operational position, meaning further away from the stowed position, by means of contact between the pivot mounting support of the body and the handle in the operational position, and wherein a diameter of a first of the pair of connectors is smaller than a diameter of a second of the pair of connectors, wherein the threaded shaft of the second of the pair of connectors has an elongate axial bore configured for receiving the threaded shaft of the first of the pair of connectors within the elongate axial bore.
2 . The turnbuckle system according to claim 1 , wherein, in the stowed position, a longitudinal axis of the handle is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body.
3 . The turnbuckle system according to claim 1 , wherein, in the operational position, a longitudinal axis of the handle is substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the body.
4 . The turnbuckle system according to claim 1 , wherein the handle is secured in a receiving recess in a semi interference or resiliently gripping fit.
5 . The turnbuckle system of claim 4 , wherein a portion of the handle spaced from a proximal portion of the handle is nested in the receiving recess opposite the proximal portion.
6 . The turnbuckle system according to claim 1 , wherein a terminus of each of the pair of connectors is an eye.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is the United States national phase of International Application No. PCT/EP2020/072018 filed Aug. 5, 2020, and claims priority to United Kingdom Patent Application No. 1911308.3, filed Aug. 7, 2019, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. BACKGROUND Technical Field The present disclosure relates to a turnbuckle device, and in particular a turnbuckle device as used for tensioning height safety apparatus, such as lifelines or safety lines extending between anchor points. Technical Considerations In height safety applications, turnbuckle devices are used to tension lifelines, such as safety lines extending between anchor points. The turnbuckle device has a first screw threaded element connected to an end of the lifeline and a second screw threaded element connected to the anchor point. The screw threaded elements are received in respective threaded bores at opposed ends of the turnbuckle body or chassis. As the turnbuckle body or chassis is rotated about its axis in a first direction, the threaded elements are drawn into the turnbuckle body or chassis, thereby tensioning the safety line. Rotation of the turnbuckle in the opposite direction results in the threaded elements moving apart from one another and slackening the safety line. Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, there is shown a safety line arrangement in which a prior art turnbuckle 1 is used to tension a safety line 2 between two anchor points 3, 4. In the safety line arrangement shown, a plastically deformable energy absorber 5 is positioned intermediately between the turnbuckle 1 and the adjacent anchor point 3. The energy absorber 5 is secured to a first one of the screw threaded turnbuckle connectors. The other of the screw threaded turnbuckle connectors is secured to the lifeline 2. As described above, as the turnbuckle body or chassis is rotated about its axis in a first direction, the threaded turnbuckle connectors are drawn into the turnbuckle body or chassis, thereby tensioning the safety line 2. Rotation of the turnbuckle 1 in the opposite direction results in the threaded elements moving apart from one another and slackening the safety line 2. SUMMARY Therefore, in some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, an improved turnbuckle device has now been devised. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, a turnbuckle device for tensioning a safety line may include a body having a pair of opposing ends, with each end having a threaded bore; a pair of connectors, with each connector having a threaded shaft configured for being received in the threaded bore of one of the pair of opposing ends of the body; and a handle connected to the body. The handle may be movable between a stowed position and an operational position. In the operational position, the handle may be configured for facilitating rotation of the body about a longitudinal axis of the body. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the handle may be movable through 90 degrees between the stowed position and the operational position. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the handle may be pivotally connected to the body by a pivot connection mounted in a support boss of the body. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, in the stowed position, a longitudinal axis of the handle may be substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, in the stowed position, the handle may be nested in a receiving recess in the body. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, in the operational position, a longitudinal axis of the handle may be substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the body. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, rotation of the handle in the operational position in a first direction may rotate the body about the longitudinal axis to extend the pair of connectors out of the body. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, rotation of the handle in the operational position in a second direction may rotate the body about the longitudinal axis to retract the pair of connectors into the body. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, a diameter of a first of the pair of connectors may be smaller than a diameter of a second of the pair of connectors. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the threaded shaft of the first of the pair of connectors may have an elongate axial bore configured for receiving the threaded shaft of the second of the pair of connectors within the elongate axial bore. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the threaded shaft of the second of the pair of connectors may be fully received within the elongate axial bore of the threaded shaft of the first of the pair of connectors in a maximum tension position of the connectors. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the handle may be secured in the receiving recess in a semi interference or resiliently gripping fit. In