Composite cable gripper

Abstract

An apparatus includes a housing. The apparatus includes a first end and a second end. The apparatus includes a first wedge having a first groove. The first wedge is contained in the housing. The apparatus includes a second wedge having a second groove. The second wedge is contained in the housing and is positioned adjacent the first wedge. A gripper profile is formed along the length of the first wedge and the second wedge by the first groove and the second groove. The gripper profile has a first shape at the first end and tapers along a length of the first wedge and the second wedge to form a second shape, different from the first shape, at the second end.

1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a housing comprising:
 a first end, 
 a second end; 
   a first wedge having a first groove, the first wedge contained in the housing;   a second wedge having a second groove, the second wedge contained in the housing and positioned adjacent the first wedge; and   a gripper profile formed along the length of the first wedge and the second wedge by the first groove and the second groove, wherein the gripper profile has a first shape at the first end and tapers along a length of the first wedge and the second wedge to form a second shape, different from the first shape, at the second end.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first shape is selected from the group consisting of substantially circular and substantially elliptical. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second shape is selected from the group consisting of substantially circular and substantially elliptical. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the gripper profile tapers substantially linearly along the length of the first wedge from the first end to the second end. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the gripper profile tapers substantially non-linearly along the length of the first wedge from the first end to the second end. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the gripper profile tapers along the length of the first wedge from the first end to the second end in a shape selected from the group consisting of step-like, triangular, saw-tooth, rip-saw-tooth, truncated triangular, truncated saw-tooth, and truncated rip-saw-tooth. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first groove tapers substantially linearly along the length of the first wedge from the first end to the second end. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first groove tapers substantially non-linearly along the length of the first edge from the first end to the second end. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first groove tapers along the length of the first wedge from the first end to the second end in a shape selected from the group consisting of step-like, triangular, saw-tooth, rip-saw-tooth, truncated triangular, truncated saw-tooth, and truncated rip-saw-tooth. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus comprising:
 a housing comprising:
 a first end, 
 a second end; 
   a first wedge having a first groove, the first wedge capable of being positioned into the housing;   a second wedge having a second groove, the second wedge capable of being positioned into the housing adjacent the first wedge; and   a gripper profile formed along the length of the first wedge and the second wedge by the first groove and the second groove, wherein the gripper profile has a first shape at the first end and tapers along the length of the first wedge and second wedge to form a second shape, different from the first shape, at the second end.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the first shape is selected from the group consisting of substantially circular and substantially elliptical. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the second shape is selected from the group consisting of substantially circular and substantially elliptical. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the gripper profile tapers substantially linearly along the length of the first wedge from the first end to the second end. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the gripper profile tapers substantially non-linearly along the length of the first wedge from the first end to the second end. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the gripper profile tapers along the length of the first wedge from the first end to the second end in a shape selected from the group consisting of step-like, triangular, saw-tooth, rip-saw-tooth, truncated triangular, truncated saw-tooth, and truncated rip-saw-tooth. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the first groove tapers substantially linearly along the length of the first wedge from the first end to the second end. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the first groove tapers substantially non-linearly along the length of the first edge from the first end to the second end. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the first groove tapers along the length of the first wedge from the first end to the second end in a shape selected from the group consisting of step-like, triangular, saw-tooth, rip-saw-tooth, truncated triangular, truncated saw-tooth, and truncated rip-saw-tooth. 
     
     
         19 . An apparatus comprising:
 a wedge comprising:
 a side; 
 a first end of the side; 
 a second end of the side, wherein the second end is opposite the first end; 
 a groove running from the first end of the side to the second end of the side, wherein the groove tapers toward the second end of the side. 
   
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the groove tapers substantially linearly from the first end of the side to the second end of the side. 
     
     
         21 .- 57 . (canceled)