Apparatus for applying tension to flexible items

Abstract

An apparatus for applying tension to flexible items, including wire, barbed wire, cable, or rope, are described herein. A stationary clamping member is fixedly attached to a first end of a guide bar, extending outwardly therefrom, while a non-stationary clamping member is movably mounted to the guide bar. The first flexible item is secured in the stationary clamping member, while the second flexible item is secured in the non-stationary clamping member. A tensioning assembly, such as a ratchet-like assembly engaging notches in the guide bar, is adapted to move the non-stationary clamping member away from the stationary clamping member, thereby tensioning one or both flexible items. Once the flexible items have been tensioned, they can be connected together while under tension.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for applying tension to flexible items, the apparatus comprising:
 a guide bar;   a stationary clamping member fixedly attached to a first end of the guide bar and extending outward from the guide bar;   a non-stationary clamping member movably mounted on and extending from the guide bar, wherein the non-stationary clamping member is adapted for movement along the majority of the guide bar; and   an assembly for moving the non-stationary clamping member away from the stationary clamping member.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one first line guide extending from the stationary clamping member and at least one second line guide extending from the non-stationary clamping member for guiding flexible items upon which tension is to be applied and canceling torque created by the pulling of flexible items past the stationary clamping member by the non-stationary clamping member. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the guide bar comprises a plurality of notches formed within a side of the guide bar opposite a direction in which the stationary clamping member and the non-stationary clamping member extend, wherein each notch of the plurality of notches is angled away from the stationary clamping member, wherein the assembly for moving the non-stationary clamping member away from the stationary clamping member comprises a ratchet tongue adapted to engage with each notch of the plurality of notches to push the non-stationary clamping member along the guide bar and away from the stationary clamping member, wherein the ratchet tongue can be manipulated to engage and disengage each notch of the plurality of notches. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , further comprising a tensioning member engaged with the ratchet tongue such that the ratchet tongue is in continuous contact with the guide bar. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the tensioning member comprises a spring adapted to bias the ratchet tongue toward engagement with the plurality of notches. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a hook extending from at least one end of the guide bar. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the stationary clamping member, the non-stationary clamping member, or combinations thereof, comprise:
 a mounting plate mounted to the guide bar;   a clamping arm pivotably mounted against the mounting plate;   a pivoting member for pivotably moving the clamping arm;   a first clamping face formed at the top of the clamping arm;   a clamping head fixably mounted to the mounting plate; and   a second clamping face formed on the clamping head such that the first clamping face and the second clamping face are in direct contact with an item to which tension is to be applied.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the guide bar comprises a plurality of notches, wherein the non-stationary clamping member comprises a bolt extending therethrough, wherein the bolt is adapted for entry into a notch of the plurality of notches to prevent the non-stationary clamping member from moving along the guide bar. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , further comprising a tensioning member engaged with the clamping arm for biasing the first clamping face towards the second clamping face. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the first clamping face is curved and angled toward the second clamping face, and wherein the second clamping face is curved and angled toward the first clamping face. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , further comprising safety lips extending downward from the clamping head over the first clamping face and the second clamping face of the clamping arm. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus for applying tension to flexible items, the apparatus comprising:
 an elongate body;   a stationary clamp attached to a first portion the elongate body, wherein the stationary clamp is adapted to grip a first flexible item; and   a non-stationary clamp attached to a second portion of the elongate body, thereby defining a space between the stationary claim and the non-stationary clamp, wherein the non-stationary clamp is adapted to grip a second flexible item, and wherein the non-stationary clamp is adapted to move along the elongate body in a direction away from the stationary clamp.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 the first flexible item engaged with the stationary clamp, wherein the first flexible item extends over the space; and   the second flexible item engaged with the non-stationary clamp, wherein the second flexible item extends over the space to define a tensioned overlapping region between the first and second flexible items, wherein the tensioned overlapping region is adapted to enable engagement of the first flexible item to the second flexible item under tension.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising a first line guide extending from one of the stationary clamp and the non-stationary clamp, wherein the first line guide is adapted to contact one of the first flexible item and the second flexible item to limit rotational movement of the apparatus. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , further comprising a second line guide extending from the other of the stationary clamp and the non-stationary clamp, wherein the second line guide is adapted to contact the other of the first flexible item and the second flexible item to limit rotational movement of the apparatus. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the elongate body comprises a plurality of protrusions adapted to restrain movement of the non-stationary clamp toward the stationary clamp. 
     
     
         17 . Apparatus for introducing tension into a wire and other flexible lines comprising:
 an elongate bar comprising a plurality of notches;   a stationary wire clamping mechanism fixedly connected to the guide bar adjacent to the first end thereof, wherein the stationary wire clamping mechanism is adapted for securing a second wire;   a movable wire clamping mechanism movably retained on the guide bar by a mounting plate, wherein the movable wire clamping mechanism is adapted for securing a first wire;   a ratchet mechanism adapted for moving the movable wire clamping mechanism away from the stationary wire clamping mechanism, wherein the ratchet mechanism comprises:
 a lever rotatably connected to the mounting plate; 
 a latch rotatably connected to the lever, wherein the latch is adapted for engaging a notch of the plurality of notches. 
   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a first wire guide fixedly connected adjacent to the stationary clamping mechanism, wherein the first wire guide is adapted to retain the first wire therein;   a second wire guide fixedly connected to the movable wire clamping mechanism, wherein the second wire guide is adapted to retain a second wire therein, wherein the first wire guide and the second wire guide prevent or reduce the rotation of the guide bar.   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein each notch of the plurality of notches are angled away from the stationary clamping member. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising a bolt extending through the mounting plate, wherein the bolt is adapted for entry into a notch of the plurality of notches to prevent the movable wire clamping mechanism from moving along the elongate bar.