Method and device for gripping a cable

Abstract

A device for gripping a cable includes a device body, one or more gripping elements, and a gripping element housing configured to support the one or more gripping elements. The gripping element housing is rotatably coupled to the device body such that rotation of the gripping element housing relative to the device body about a longitudinal axis causes the one or more gripping elements to move radially relative to the longitudinal axis. The gripping elements may be configured such that they do not rotate relative to the gripping element housing. The gripping elements may also be configured such that they move only in a radial direction relative to the longitudinal axis, or alternatively such that they move both radially and longitudinally relative to the longitudinal axis.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for gripping a cable, comprising:
 one or more gripping elements comprising a first threaded surface disposed on an outer portion of the one or more gripping elements;   a gripping element housing rotatably coupled to the one or more gripping elements, wherein the gripping element housing comprises a second threaded surface disposed on an inner portion of the gripping element housing, wherein a rotation of the gripping element housing relative to the one or more gripping elements about a longitudinal axis causes the one or more gripping elements to move longitudinally relative to the longitudinal axis; and   an inner guide structure that abuts against an inner portion of the one or more gripping elements, wherein the one or more gripping elements move along an outer surface of the inner guide structure as the one or more gripping elements move longitudinally relative to the longitudinal axis.   
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the outer surface of the inner guide structure is smooth, wherein the one or more gripping elements slide along an outer surface of the inner guide structure as the gripping element housing rotates relative to the one or more gripping elements. 
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the outer surface of the inner guide structure comprises a third threaded surface, wherein the inner guide structure induces the one or more gripping elements to move longitudinally as the gripping element housing rotates relative to the one or more gripping elements. 
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the device body and the one or more gripping elements are coupled by a frictional self-locking connection such that when the one or more gripping elements are tightened in a first direction, the one or more gripping elements are restricted by frictional forces from releasing in a second direction that opposes the first direction. 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 4 , wherein the first threaded surface and the second threaded surface provide the frictional self-locking connection, wherein the first direction is an upward direction, and wherein the opposite direction is a downward direction. 
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the one or more gripping elements comprise at least three gripping elements spaced apart around a circumference of the inner guide structure. 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the one or more gripping elements do not rotate relative to the gripping element housing. 
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a device body coupled to a bottom end of the gripping element housing, wherein the device body forms a cavity into which the inner guide structure is at least partially disposed.   
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 6 , wherein the gripping element housing rotates relative to the device body. 
     
     
         10 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the first threaded surface of the one or more gripping elements defines a spiral thread located in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         11 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a guide element housing coupled to a top end of the gripping element housing, wherein the guide element comprises one or more guide elements disposed along an inner surface, wherein the one or more guide elements guide a longitudinal movement of the one or more gripping elements as the gripping element housing rotates relative to the one or more gripping elements.   
     
     
         12 . The device according to  claim 11 , wherein the guide element housing comprises one or more guide elements disposed along an inner surface, wherein the one or more guide elements guide a longitudinal movement of the one or more gripping elements as the gripping element housing rotates relative to the one or more gripping elements. 
     
     
         13 . The device according to  claim 11 , wherein the guide element housing is integral with the gripping element housing. 
     
     
         14 . The device according to  claim 11 , wherein the guide element housing is conically shaped. 
     
     
         15 . The device according to  claim 11 , wherein the guide element housing has an open top end through which a cable can be disposed. 
     
     
         16 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the inner guide structure is conically shaped. 
     
     
         17 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a cable disposed within a cavity formed by the inner guide structure and between the one or more gripping elements.   
     
     
         18 . The device according to  claim 17 , wherein the one or more gripping elements, when contacting the cable, leave the cable substantially undamaged. 
     
     
         19 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the one or more gripping elements are moved relative to the device body without tools. 
     
     
         20 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the inner guide structure comprises one or more guide elements disposed along an outer surface, wherein the one or more guide elements guide a longitudinal movement of the one or more gripping elements as the gripping element housing rotates relative to the one or more gripping elements.