Gripping block arrangement and method of use

Abstract

A gripping block includes a rear side with a largest rear side width, a front side with a smallest front side width and an outer surface with a friction generating surface arranged over at least a part of the outer surface, a first side face, and a second side face. The first side face and the second side face are arranged opposite of each other. The rear side abuts against an inner wall in a slot in a holding device. The largest rear side width is smaller than the smallest front side width.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 - 8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 : A gripping block comprising:
 a rear side comprising a largest rear side width;   a front side comprising a smallest front side width and an outer surface comprising a friction generating surface arranged over at least a part of the outer surface;   a first side face; and   a second side face,   wherein,   the first side face and the second side face are arranged opposite of each other,   the rear side is configured to abut against an inner wall in a slot in a holding device, and   the largest rear side width is smaller than the smallest front side width.   
     
     
         10 : The gripping block as recited in  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a lower flange arranged to extend from the rear side; and   an upper flange arranged to extend from the rear side;   wherein the lower flange and the upper flange are arranged to extend in opposite directions from the rear side.   
     
     
         11 : The gripping block as recited in  claim 10 , further comprising:
 at least two bores each of which is configured to receiving a fastening device.   
     
     
         12 : The gripping block as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the friction generating surface is arranged to be convex relative to the rear side. 
     
     
         13 : The gripping block as recited in  claim 9 , wherein,
 the first side face and the second side face are arranged so that an angle between the first side face and the rear side is the same as an angle between the second side face and the rear side; and   each angle is obtuse.   
     
     
         14 : A holding device for the gripping block as recited in  claim 11 , the holding device comprising:
 a slot comprising an inner wall which comprises a first side and a second side arranged opposite to the first side, the slot being arranged to abut against the rear side of the gripping block;   a first side surface arranged on the first side of the inner wall;   a second side surface arranged on the second side of the inner wall,   a recess configured to receive the lower flange of the gripping block; and   a separate locking member configured to lock against the upper flange of the gripping block;   wherein,   the first side surface and the second side surface are arranged complementary to the first side face and the second side face of the gripping block so that a respective obtuse angle is formed between the first side surface and the inner wall and between the second side surface and the inner wall.   
     
     
         15 : The holding device as recited in  claim 14 , further comprising:
 at least two threaded boars each of which is configured to receive a fastening device for attachment of the separate locking member.   
     
     
         16 : The holding device as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the separate locking member is configured to lock the upper flange so as to abut with the inner wall. 
     
     
         17 : A method for a replacement of a first gripping block from a holding device with a second gripping block,
 the first gripping block and the second gripping block each comprising:
 a rear side comprising a largest rear side width, 
 a front side comprising a smallest front side width and an outer surface comprising a friction generating surface arranged over at least a part of the outer surface, 
 a first side face, 
 a second side face arranged opposite of the first side face, 
 a lower flange arranged to extend from the rear side, 
 an upper flange arranged to extend from the rear side, the lower flange and the upper flange being arranged to extend in opposite directions from the rear side, and 
 at least two bores each of which is configured to receiving a fastening device, 
 wherein, the largest rear side width is smaller than the smallest front side width; 
   the holding device comprising:
 a slot comprising an inner wall which comprises a first side and a second side arranged opposite to the first side, the slot being arranged to abut against the rear side of the gripping block, 
 a first side surface arranged on the first side of the inner wall, 
 a second side surface arranged on the second side of the inner wall, 
 a recess configured to receive the lower flange of the gripping block, and 
 a separate locking member configured to lock against the upper flange of the gripping block, 
 wherein, the first side surface and the second side surface are arranged complementary to the first side face and the second side face of the gripping block so that a respective obtuse angle is formed between the first side surface and the inner wall and between the second side surface and the inner wall; 
   the method comprising:
 loosening the fastening devices and removing the separate locking member to access the first gripping block; 
 removing the first gripping block from the slot; 
 inserting the second gripping block into the slot and the recess; and 
 mounting the separate locking member with the fastening devices.