US3174721A - Tensioned support for flexible members - Google Patents

Description

March 23, 1965 J. M. RlSSER TENSIONED SUPPORT FOR FLEXIBLE MEMBERS Filed Nov. 12, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 JNVfA/TM. a? M/mw Fume ATTOR/Vf) March 23, 1965 J. M. RlSSER 3,174,721

TENSIONED SUPPORT FOR FLEXIBLE MEMBERS Filed Nov. 12, less 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 f N Vf N TOE. J MARL //v 19mm United States Patent TENSIONED SUPPURT FOR FLEXIBLE MEMBERS This invention pertains to supporting means for flexible members such as chains stretched across the entrances to parking places, flexible sections of fencing or fence wire of ditferent kinds stretched across roadways or driveways, and other forms of flexible means such as clothes lines or the like, all of which usually are supported under tension substantially in horizontal position. More particularly, the invention also pertains to means for tensioning such flexible members when supported in their operative, horizontal positions.

When it is desired to block the entrance to a parking lot or yard having an entrance for vehicles, it has been common practice heretofore to stretch a flexible elongated member such as a chain, cable or the like between a pair of posts and either hook or lock one end of the flexible member to one post, while the opposite end is permanently secured to the opposite post for example. Frequently, these chains are of substantial length and it is quite difiicult for an owner or attendant at the lot to pull a chain or cable reasonably taut across the entrance and secure the connectable end thereof to the post therefor, at least without unduly straining in doing the same. It is not infrequent that the chains or cables are stretched so loosely that it is possible for a vehicle to pass under the chain by holding the loose chain at an elevated position.

In regard to clothes lines, it is not uncommon that when a clothes line is stretched between two spaced supports for the opposite ends thereof, that while the line is reasonably taut when originally connected between the supporting members, by the time the clothes line is filled with damp, laundered articles for drying, the weight of the articles thereon is such that auxiliary props sometimes have to be resorted to, holding the clothes from touching the ground. In this regard, there also have been proposals particularly in regard to clothes line supporting means, to employ a tension spring at one end of the clothes lines to attempt to hold the same taut but usually the strength of such spring is such that they are unable to fully compensate for a line full of damp, laundered articles for purposes or" holding the line substantially straight, whereby none of the laundered articles will be in danger of touching the ground while hanging upon the line to dry.

It is the principal purpose of the present invention to provide means capable of both supporting and tensioning flexible members such as chains, cables, ropes and the like, such as those used for closing driveways and the like, supporting laundry, and otherwise, particularly where such flexible members are supported at the opposite ends thereof while substantially horizontal and preferably in a taut, substantially straight condition, said tensioning means preferably being adjustable to vary the tension exerted by spring means incorporated in the mechanism whereby, the tension required to accomplish this may be made substantially equal to the demands.

Another object of the invention is to provide relatively simple supporting means for one end of the flexible members which are mounted in longitudinally spaced relationship to additional supporting members for the op posite ends of said flexible members, said first mentioned supporting member rotatably supporting a tensioning member preferably comprising a drum and having tensioning means, preferably comprising a coil spring, which normally tends to rotate the drum in one direction to tension the flexible member connected thereto, the mechanism also embodying means to increase the tension exerted by the spring in accordance with the load imposed upon the drum by the flexible member rendered taut thereby.

A further object of the invention is to provide one embodiment of mechanism wherein the supporting member comprises a substantially vertical post having a tensioning drum rotatably mounted at the upper end thereof, while, in a second embodiment of the invention, the supporting member may comprise a tube which is fixedly supported intermediately of its ends and rotatable tensioning drums are mounted adjacent opposite ends of said tube, this last mentioned embodiment especially being adapted for use with a pair of clothes lines.

A still further object of the invention related to the second mentioned embodiment above also provides single tensioning means commonly tensioning both of the drums but arranged to rotate the same in opposite directions 'while tensioning flexible members connected at one end respectively to said drums and wound around said drums in opposite directions to each other.

Still another object of the invention pertinent to the aforementioned embodiment wherein the supporting member comprises a vertical post is to provide an elongated connector which is attachable at one end to the post at a location spaced below the top thereof and the opposite end of the connector is placed under tension by the tensioning drum connected to the upper end of the post.

Still another object of the invention in regard to all embodiments thereof is to provide means by which the tensioning drums readily may be rotated for purposes of increasing the tension imposed thereon by the spring interconnected thereto, and holding means are arranged to to be engaged by the tensioning drums when a predetermined amount of tension has been imposed upon the tensioning spring thereby, whereby one end of an elongated member may be connected to the tensioning drum, following which the holding means is released to permit the tension of the spring to be applied fully to the drum to render the flexible member connected thereto taut.

Details of the foregoing objects and of the invention,

as well as other objects thereof, are set forth in the following specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings comprising a part thereof.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an exemplary vertical elevation, partly broken away to disclose additional details and foreshortened vertically to more readily accommodate the view to the sheet, said view showing the supporting and tensioning means embodying the invention in operative position to hold tautly two exemplary cables such as used to extend across a vehicle entrance or the like.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary and foreshortened view, broken away in parts to disclose details of the combined supporting and automatic tensioning means illustrated at the left-hand end of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the supporting and tensioning means such as shown at the left-hand end of FIG. 1 and illustrated in non-tensioning position as seen on the line 33 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but showing supporting and tensioning means in tensioned position.

FIG. 5 is a transverse sectional view of part of the mechanism of FIG. 2 as shown on'the line 55 thereof.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view, partly foreshortened, of another embodiment of the invention applied to supporting and tensioning means arranged to simultaneously tension a pair of elongated flexible members, especially adapted for clothes line use.

FIG. 7 is a side elevation of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 6 and similarly foreshortened.

FIG. 8 is a side elevation, partly foreshortened longitudinally and also broken away and somewhat exploded for purposes of illustrating the assembly of the tension ing drums with their tubular supporting members and spindles, this view being on a larger scale than employed in FIGS. '6 and 7.

FIG. 9 is a side elevation of a tensioning spring arranged to be included in the assembly otherwise shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a vertical sectional view as seen on the line 10'10 of FIG. 6 and illustrating exemplary holding means to prevent rotation of one of the tensioning drums as when the other is being tensioned.

FIG. 11 is an end view of one of the tensioning drums,

.partly broken away to disclose details thereof, as seen on the line 1111 of FIG. 6.

Considering initially the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 through 5, which primarily is adapted for use to stretch flexible members 10, such as cables, chains, ropes or the like across a driveway entrance 12, it is assumed that vertical means 14 such as a post, wall, or the like, will be arranged for purposes of connecting means such as hooks16 at one end of the flexible members 10 to the vertical means 14. It also is to be understood that, in addition to this embodiment of the invention being adapted to extend across driveway entrances and the like, such as associated with parking lots, yards, and the like, it also may be employed for farm use or otherwise, especially where it is desired to interrupt a fence where the same crosses a cartway or cattle path, whereby the fence may be opened, so to speak, at said cartway or pathway to permit passage through the fence, following which obstructing means such as the flexible members 10 may be extended across the cartway or pathway.

'The embodiment of supporting and automatic tensioning means for the flexible members 10 which is illustrated in FIGS. 1 through comprises a supporting member 18 which, preferably, at least at the upper end thereof, is tubular and may be formed from suitable gaugesteel pipe, ;of the order of about 3 inches in diam eter or the like. The lower end thereof may be mounted in concrete, for example, to render the mounting strong and permanent. The member 18 is suitably spaced transversely from the vertical means 14 to which the first-mentioned ends. of the flexible members are secured. Aflixed to the supporting member 18, at an appropriate distance below the upper end thereof, is a receptacle 20 which is stationary and may comprise simply a short ilengthof suitable steel tubing welded to one side of the tubular post 18.

Arranged to be associated with the supporting member 'or steel post 18 is an elongated connector 22 which may be formed from .suitablesolid rod or pipe, the lower end portion thereof having an offset 24 which terminates in a lower end 26 which is received within the receptacle 20. The connector 22 has suitable connecting means such as a pair of eyebolts 28, positioned 'in vertically spaced relationship thereon, and receiving suitable loops formed in one end .of each of the flexible members 18, such loops being the end link of chains, for example, in the event chains comprise such flexible members.

Otherwise, the loops may be formed' appropriately in cables, ropes or the like, if this type of flexible member is used.

The upper end of elongated connector 22 is arranged to be tensioned relative to the upper end of supporting post 18lby means of a tensioning member 30 which, in the preferred embodiment ofthe invention, comprises a drum which is suitably connected to the upper end of a preferably hollow or tubular spindle 32 which is coaxial with and received within the upper portion of the tubular supporting post 18 as is readily seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. Tensioning means are disposed preferably within the tubular supporting post 18 and also 4 partially within the hollow spindle 32, said tensioning means preferably comprising a coiled spring 34. The opposite ends of spring 34 preferably have elongated loops therein, the lower one receiving a securing bolt 36 therethrough as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, said bolt alsoextending through the tubular post 18.

The spring 34 preferably is of substantial length, primarily to afford a substantial amount of tension being generated within the spring through the employment of a relatively limited number of revolutions of one end .of the spring relative to the other. Further, the spring preferably is formed from sping wire of substantial gauge, whereby the spring is capable of generating quite a substantial amount of rotative force which is imparted to the tensioning member 30 due to the same being suitably fixed to the upper end of spindle 32 and the upper end of spring 34 having an anchoring bolt 38 extending through the elongated loop at the upper end thereof as well as transversely through the upper end of spindle 32 as best seen from FIG. 2. Rotation of the tensioning drum 30 to place spring 34 under tension is elfected by any suitable means, one simple expedient comprising a short transverse tube 40 which is welded or otherwise affixed to the upper end of drum 30 and, by inserting a suitable length of steel rod or pipe 42 therethrough and applying pressure against the outer end thereof, in the proper direction to tension spring 34, a considerable amount of force may be built up in the spring even though only a limited number of rotations are imparted to drum 3%.

For purposes of storing the tension in spring 34 after it has been rotated by drum 30 as indicated above, holding means are employed, one satisfactory example of which comprises a transverse lug 44 which is welded or otherwise aflixed to supporting member 18 adjacent the upper end thereof. Drum 30 preferably is formed from a pair of similar steel discs which are axially spaced and fixed to a hub 46 by welding or the like. A series of axially aligned holes 48 are formed in the discs which comprise drum 38 as is best seen from FIGS. 3 and 4. The holes 48 are arranged, selectively, to receive removable attaching means comprising a pin 50 which simply may be dropped into a selected pair of holes 48 from the upper end of drum 30 and an enlargement on the upper end of pin 50 holds the same in operative position within the selected pair of holes 48 as is clearly evident from FIG. 2;

Relative to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 5, the tensioning means for the .upper end of connector 22, in addition to comprising drum 30, also includes a relatively short length of coilable, flexible means such as a piece of chain 52, of suitable strength and link size, one end of the chain being connected by a screweye 54 to the upper end of connector'22, while the opposite end thereof and especially the endrnost link is disposed between the flanges of drum 3t and receives the pin 50 therethrough as shown in FIGS..1 through 4. The pin 50, as also is evident from'FIGS. 1 and 2, is sufficiently long that, when all of the elements are assembled in operative position as shown in FIG. 1, rather than in the extended or exploded manner illustrated in FIG. 2, the lower end of pin 50 is engageable with the holding lug 44 at one point of each revolution of the drum 30. For convenience of operation, the end of chain 52 opposite that which is engaged by pin 50 also preferably is formed with a hook 56, one example of which is shown in FIG. 2.

In operating the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 through 5, assuming that the "flexible members 10 are hooked or connected at one endto the stationary member 14 at one side of the driveway 12, for

example, the elongated connector 22 is moved by an attendant toward supporting post 18 and the lower end 26 of the connector is disposed within receptacle 20. R0- tating member comprising rod or pipe 42 is then inserted in tube or socket 40 and the drum 36 is rotated in a direction to impart tension to the spring 34. When suitable amount of tension is created in the spring 34, the Operator then inserts pin 50 in a selected pair of holes 48 in drum 30, usually a pair adjacent stop lug 44 and incidentally also extending the pin 50 through one of the links of chain 52, usually the outermost one, whereby when the operator permits the tension of spring 34 to rotate the drum 3G by the power of the spring, the lower end of pin 50 will engage stop lug 44 and rotation of the drum 39 then will cease. Hook 56 is then connected to eyebolt 54 in the upper end of connector 22. In normal operation of the mechanism, there will be relatively little slack in the chain 52 under such circumstances. When all of this assembly has been made, the operator then again rotates the drum 30 in spring-tensioning direction, at least sufficiently to pull the pin 50 upwardly sufliciently to disengage the lower end of the pin from the stop lug 44, whereupon the operator then permits the spring 34 to exert its tension in a direction to rotate the drum 30 in tensioning direction to render the chain 52 taut and, correspondingly, also render the flexible members taut and substantially straight. It will be understood that the length of the lower flexible member 10 will initially be measured carefully as to its length but when the upper flexible member 19 is rendered taut by the action of spring 34, the lower flexible member lit will be substantially equally taut.

After the flexible members 10 have been secured in stretched and taut transverse, operative position substantially as shown in FIG. 1, and particularly if said flexible members are intended to remain in such condition, as overnight, or over a weekend for example, as where the driveway 12 comprises an entrance to a parking lot which is to remain idle during such period of time, disconnection of the connector 22 from the supporting post 18 may be prevented by suitable means such as by forming a hole 58 in the lower end of the pin of suflicient size to receive the bail of a padlock or the like and, for further assurance, the padlock also may be used to extend around the lug 44, whereby the drum 3!) then can not be rotated relative to supporting post 18. Due to the fact that the spring 34 is all the while under tension and exerts a force sufficient to prevent disconnection of hook 56 from eye bolt 54, for example, it will be seen that it will not be possible to remove the flexible members 10 from their stretched, transverse and operative positions.

The principles of the present invention also equally are applicable to other embodiments of tensioning and supporting means for a plurality of other types of flexible members such as is illustrated in exemplary manner in FIGS. 6 through 11. One very useful employment for this embodiment of the invention is in connection with a pair of clothes lines 6t) which, for example, may be formed from appropriate braided or twisted rope, metallic reinforced plastic, or relatively light gauge metallic cable or any other appropriate flexible and readily coilable elongated means which is suitable for use as clothes lines.

In the embodiment shown in the aforementioned fig ures, the clothes lines 60 extend between one stationary support 62 which, preferably, is in the form of a horizontal pipe of suitable size fixed to the upper end of a post 64 which is anchored in the ground and extends vcrtically an appropriate distance. Spaced transversely from the post 64 is a second, similar post 66 which likewise is anchored in the ground and, at the upper end thereof, is provided with a preferably horizontal, tubular supporting member 68 which, for example, may be appropriate steel pipe having a diameter of the order of 2 /2 or 3 inches. The length of supporting member 68 preferably is, in general, approximately equal to that of stationary support 62, or possibly a little shorter.

For purposes of illustrating the details of the supporting and tensioning means for the ends of the clothes lines 66 opposite those which are connected to stationary support 62, attention is directed particularly to FIGS. 8 and 9.

FIG. 8 is an extended or exploded view showing a pair of similar hollow spindles 70, the length of which is no greater than half that of the supporting member 68 and the outer diameters of spindles 70 is sufliciently less than the inner diameter of member 68 so that the spindles 70 may freely rotate therein about the axis of supporting member 68 with which said spindles are coaxial. Disposed within the hollow spindles 70 are tension means comprising a coiled spring 72, the outer ends of which are provided with elongated loops 73. It will be understood that the spring 72 extends between the spindles 70. Connected to the outer ends of each spindle 70 is a tensioning member comprising a drum 74 around which the clothes lines 60 are respectively coiled at one end.- The drums 74 each have a hub 76 which, for example, is provided with a bore to receive the outer end of spindle 70, said hub and outer end of each spindle having a transverse hole therethrough for purposes of receiving connecting means comprising a bolt 78, the inner end of which preferably is threaded into the hub 76 of each drum 74. The head of the bolt also is permitted to extend radially outward from the surface of each drum 74 a limited amount as is exemplified in FIG. 11. The bolts 78 intermediately of the ends thereof, also pass through the elongated loops 73 in the ends of spring 72. Thus, the spring 72, among its various functions, includes that of preventing separation of the spindles 70 and drums 74 from opposite ends of the supporting member 68.

Fixed to the outer faces of each drum 74 is means to receive a rotating member or tool, said means preferably comprising sockets 80 provided with socket openings of suitable geometric cross-sectional shapes, such as square, for purposes of receiving a lug 82, of complementary shape, formed on one end of a crank handle 84, or an equivalent to it as shown in FIG. 8. Holding means also are associated with one of the drums 74, one exemplary form of which is illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 10 and comprises a boss -86 fixed to the exterior of supporting member 68 adjacent one end thereof and having a longitudinally movable stop pin 88 carried thereby with a suitable manipulating handle on one end thereof. The opposite end of pin 88 projects axially outward beyond the adjacent end of supporting member 68 and is arranged to-be received within a selected notch formed in the ratchet Wheel 90, the function of which will now be described.

When the stop pin 88 is moved axially away from ratchet wheel 90, the assembly comprising spindles 7t), drums 74 thereon, and spring 72 contained within the hollow spindle 70, is freely rotatable about the axis of supporting member 68. Thus, if it is desired to coil the full length of the elongated flexible members comprising clothes lines 60 upon the hubs 76 of reels 74, one looped end of each of the members 60, specifically comprising clothes lines, may be secured around the head of the bolts 7-8 on each drum and then the aforementioned assembly may be rotated by means of crank handle 84 for example until the full length of each flexible member 60 is coiled upon the drum 74 therefor. Said flexible members may be retained in this coiled and stored condition until ready for use.

When it is desired to use the clothes lines comprising flexible members 60, the outermost ends thereof may be engaged and simultaneously pulled toward the stationary support 62, said outer ends then being engaged with books 92 for example and then the opposite ends of the members 60 respectively are disconnected from the head ends of the bolts 78. The drum 74 which does not have the ratchet wheel 90 connected thereto, then has said opposite end of its flexible member 60 connected thereto when passing a loop in said end around the head of the bolt 78 of said drum. The entire drum and spindle assembly then is rotated by use of the crank handle 84 when connected to the opposite drum 74 which has the ratchet wheel connected thereto. Such rotation of said assembly is in a direction to tension the spring 72. The coiling of said opposite end of said one flexible member 60 around 7 the hub 76 of the drum which does not have the ratchet wheel thereon soon will place the flexible member so coiled under substantial tension, whereupon further rotation of said drum 74 will substantially cease, even though continued rotation of the drum 74 which has the ratchet wheel thereon continues for several more revolutions to place the spring 72 under what is believed to be suflicient tension in the judgment of the operator and in accordance with experience from using the device. When the spring 72 has been so tensioned, the stop pin 88 then is projected into engagement with one of the notches of ratchet wheel 90.

, When the assembly is in the above-described condition, the opposite end of the second flexible member 60 then is coiled about the hub 76 of the drum 74 to which the ratchet wheel 90 is attached but in the opposite direction of coiling from that of said opposite end of the first mentioned flexible member about the other drum 74, as indicated inFIG. 7. Before so coiling said opposite end of the second flexible member 60, it preferably should be drawn fairly taut and then said opposite end should be coiled about the hub 76, which will usually amount to only several convolutions if the member has been adequately measured at the time of installing the same, whereupon a loop in said opposite end then may be extended over a slightly projecting head of the bolt 78 to secure said opposite end of the member 60 thereto. When such connection of the opposite end of said second flexible member 60 has been so connected with drum 74 which carries the ratchet wheel 90 and momentarily has been locked by stop pin 88, the crank handle 84 again is used to slightly move said drum in spring-coiling direction sufliciently to enable the operative end of stop pin 88 to be withdrawn from the notch of ratchet wheel 90 within which it has been received while locking the drum assembly against rotation and while under substantial tension by spring 72. After such removal of stop pin 88 from the ratchet wheel 90, and particularly while holding the crank handle 84, said crank handle then ispermitted to slowly move by the operator in tensioning direction as induced by the power of the spring 72 until the tension exerted by the opposite ends of said spring respectively on the two flexible members is equalized. When this situation is achieved, the crank handle 84 then may be removed from said drum which has the ratchet wheel thereon, if desired, but this is not necessary unless it is desired to prevent tampering with the tension of the lines by unauthorized persons. a

If, after tension exerted by spring 72 upon both of the drums 74 has been equalized and it is found that the flexible members 60 are not sufliciently taut, the crank handle 84' again may be used to rotate the drum 74 with the ratchet wheel 90in spring-tensioning direction a suflicient extent that suitable additional tension has been stored into spring 72, whereupon stop pin 88 is projected into a suitable notch within the ratchet wheel 90 to momentarily lock the ratchet wheel drum 74 against retraction while the second flexible member which is partially coiled therearound is adjusted, possibly by winding said attached end around the hub of said drum a limited number of additional convolutions, again securing the looped ends over the head of bolt 78, and then releasing the stop pin 88 fromthe ratchet wheel 90 in the manner described above, followed by slowly releasing the ratchet wheel drum while holding the crank handle 84 until pressure exerted upon the drums by the oposite ends of spring 72 is equalized and, under the circumstances described above, has been increased.

To release the drums 74 from the tension of the spring 72, as when it is desired to restore the flexible member 60 to inoperative condition and entirely coiled around the drums 74, it is only necessary to apply the crank handle 84 to the ratchet wheel drum 74, rotate the same sufliciently in spring-tensioning direction that the connected end of the flexible member 60 on the hub of the ratchet wheel drum 74 may be manipulated sufficiently to disconnect said end from the head of the bolt 78 thereon, thereby freeing said flexible member from the drum. Next, by again slightly moving the crank handle 84 in springtensioning direction, the. stop pin 88 is retracted from engagement with ratchet wheel 90. When this has occurred and while holding the crank handle 84 firmly, it is slowly revolved in the opposite direction from that for tensioning the spring, so as to permit the spring to spend all of its tension, whereupon the drum, spindle and spring unit than may rotate freely about the axis of the supporting member 68. By suitably connecting the ends of the flexible member 60 to the heads of the bolts 78 for coiling of the flexible member in the same direction, said unit may be rotated by the crank handle 84 to coil the entire length of the flexible members 60 about their respective drums 74, in which position they may remain until the next time the clothes line unit is to be disposed in operative position such as illustrated somewhat diagrammatically and fragmentarily in FIG. 7.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the present invention provides relatively simple, rugged and durable mechanism for supporting and tensioning flexible members through the employment of relatively powerful spring means which function smoothly and are energized easily to maintain flexible members connected thereto in straight and taut condition. The mechanism embodying the present invention is suitable for application to a number of different types of supporting structures, several embodiments of which have been specifically illustrated in the drawings and described in the foregoing specification, as well as being covered by the appended claims. The same basic principles have been utilized in said several embodiments to equal advantage. The mechanism comprising these embodiments is capable of being operated by relatively simple tension-imparting means without requiring the exertion of undue physical energy. Assembly and installation of the mechanism comprising said embodiments likewise are relatively simple and easy to achieve.

While the invention has been described and illustrated in its several preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the precise details herein illustrated and described since the same may be carried out in other ways falling within the scope of the invention as claimed. 7

I claim:

1. Supporting and automatic tensioning means for flexible elongated members such as cables, chains and ropes supported at opposite ends and held taut, said means being engageable with one end of such flexible member while the other end is supported by fixed means and comprising in combination, a stationary supporting member arranged to be supported in predetermined spaced relationship to said fixed means, a tensioning drum rotatably supported, by said supporting member for 'movement about a substantially fixed axis, connecting means on said tensioning drum to which one end of one of said flexible members is connectabie, tensioning means connected to said tensioning drum and operable when placed under tension to rotate said drum in a direction to stretch. a flexible member taut when connected thereto, means directly engaging said tensioning drum to rotate it in a direction to place said tensioning means under operable tension, and holding means releasably engageable by said tensioning drum to hold it under tension while one end of a flexible member is being connected thereto and said drum then being releasable from said holding means to permit said tensioning means to move said tensioning drum in a direction to coil said flexible member connected thereto at least partially around said tensioning drum and thereby render said flexible member substantially taut.

2. The supporting and tensioning means set forth in claim 1 further characterized by said tensioning means comprising a coiled spring surrounding the axis of said drum and connected at one end thereto.

3. The supporting and tensioning means set forth in claim 1 further characterized by said supporting member being tubular and having a coaxial spindle rotatable therein, said tensioning drum being connected to one end of said spindle for support thereby.

4. The supporting and tensioning means set forth in claim 3 further characterized by said spindle being tubular and coaxially within said supporting member and said tensioning means comprising a coiled spring at least partially contained longitudinally within said tubular spindle.

5. Supporting and automatic tensioning means for flexible elongated members such as cables, chains and ropes supported at opposite ends and held taut, said means being engageable with one end of such flexible member while the other end is supported by fixed means and comprising in combination, a supporting member comprising a vertical post arranged to be supported in the ground or the like in predetermined spaced relationship to said fixed means, a tensioning drum supported at the upper end of said supporting member for rotation about the axis of said post, connecting means on said tensioning drum to which one end of one of said flexible members is connectable, tensioning means connected to said tensioning drum and operable to rotate it in a direction to tension a flexible member when connected thereto, means to rotate said drum to place said tensioning means and drum under tension in one direction, and holding means releasably engageable by said tensioning drum to maintain it under tension while one end of a flexible member is being connected thereto and then being releasable from said holding means to permit said tensioning means to move said tensioning drum in a direction to render a flexible member connected thereto substantially taut.

6. The supporting and tensioning means set forth in claim 5 further characterized by said holding means comprising a stop member on said post, said drum also having projecting means engageable with said stop member to hold said drum stationary and under tension to permit said interconnecting of one end of a flexible member thereto for tens-ioned support by said drum.

7. The supporting and tensioning means set forth in claim 6 further characterized by said projecting means on said drum comprising a pin extending from one face thereof and said stop member comprising a lug projecting from said post adjacent said drum, said pin also interconnecting one end of a flexible member to said drum.

8. The supporting and tensioning means set forth in claim 7 further characterized by said pin having means thereon to receive a padlock to permit locking said drum against movement in a direction to release the tension of said drum and thereby prevent detachment of said one end of said flexible member from said drum.

9. The supporting and tensioning means set forth in claim 6 further including a spindle rotatably supported within at least the upper end of said post and coaxial therewith, said drum being fixed to the upper end of said spindle and said tensioning means comprising a spring connected to said spindle and operable to rotate the same and said drum in one direction to tension a flexible member when connected at one end to said drum.

10. The supporting and tensioning means set forth in claim 9 further characterized by said spindle being hollow and said spring being coiled and at least partially contained co-axially within said spindle and the inner end of said spring being fastened to said spindle.

11. The supporting and tensioning means set forth in claim 5 further including an elongated connector to which one end of each of a plurality of flexible members is connectable for tensioning thereby, said post having a receptacle spaced below the top of the post and arranged to lad receive the lower end of said elongated connector and said tensioning drum interengaging the upper end portion of said elongated connector to pull the same toward said post to tension the flexible members connected thereto.

12. The supporting and tensioning means set forth in claim 11 further including a short coilable member connected at one end to said tensioning drum and coilable therearound and the opposite end thereof being releasably connectable to said upper end portion of said elongated connector to place the same under tension.

13. Supporting and automatic tensioning means for a plurality of flexible elongated members such as cables, chains and ropes supported at opposite ends and held taut, said means being engageable with one end of each of a plurality of such flexible members while the other ends are supported by fixed means and comprising in combination, a supporting member supported fixedly intermediately of its ends in predetermined fixed spaced relationship to said fixed means, tensioning drums respectively supported rotatably by the opposite ends of said supporting member for movement about the axis thereof, connecting means on said tensicning drums to which one end of one of said flexible members respectively are connectable, tensioning means extending between and connected to said tensioning drums and operable to rotate the same in opposite rotary directions to tension said flexible members when connected respectively thereto, and holding means releasably engageable with one of said tensioning drums to maintain it under tension while a flexible member is being connected thereto and then being releasable from said holding means to permit said tensioning means to move said tension-ing drums respectively in opposite rotary directions to render both of said flexible members connected to said tensioning drums substantially taut.

14. The supporting and tensioning means set forth in claim 13 further including spindles fixed to said tensioning drums and respectively extended into said tube from the opposite ends thereof and said tensioning means comprising a coiled spring extending between said spindles and the opposite ends of said spring interengaging said tensioning drums to rotate the same as aforesaid.

15. The supporting and tension-ing means set forth in claim 14 further characterized by said spindles being tubular and the opposite ends of said spring extending respectively thereinto.

16. The supporting and tensioning means set forth in claim 15 further characterized by said tensioning drums including pin means extending through said drums and tubular spindles to secure the same against relative rota t-ion, said pin means also respectively interconnecting the opposite ends of said springs to said drums.

17. The supporting and tensioning means set forth in claim 14 further characterized by said holding means being engageable with only one of said tensioning drums and operable to permit winding the other tensioning drum to tension the spring and permit connecting a flexible member thereto.

References Qited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,572,732 2/26 McCammack 254-163 1,635,416 7/27 Howard 254-161 2,865,514 12/58 Goodman 242-1076 X 2,872,047 2/59 Ostlund 211-11915 2,989,267 6/61 Mehl 211-119.15 X

WELLIAM FELDMAN, Primary Examiner. MILTON S. MEHR, Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. SUPPORTING AND AUTOMATIC TENSIONING MEANS FOR FLEXIBLE ELONGATED MEMBERS SUCH AS CABLES, CHAINS AND ROPES SUPPORTED AT OPPOSITE ENDS AND HELD TAUT, SAID MEANS BEING ENGAGEABLE WITH ONE END OF SUCH FLEXIBLE MEMBER WHILE THE OTHER END IS SUPPORTED BY FIXED MEANS AND COMPRISING IN COMBINATION, A STATIONARY SUPPORTING MEMBER ARRANGED TO BE SUPPORTED IN PREDETERMINED SPACED RELATIONSHIP TO SAID FIXED MEANS, A TENSIONING DRUM ROTATABLY SUPPORTED BY SAID SUPPORTING MEMBER FOR MOVEMENT ABOUT A SUBSTANTIALLY FIXED AXIS, CONNECTING MEANS ON SAID TENSIONING DRUM TO WHICH ONE END OF ONE OF SAID FLEXIBLE MEMBERS IS CONNECTABLE, TENSIONING MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID TENSIONING DRUM AND OPERABLE WHEN PLACED UNDER TENSION TO ROTATE SAID DRUM IN A DIRECTION TO STRETCH A FLEXIBLE MEMBER TAUT WHEN CONNECTED THERETO, MEANS DIRECTLY ENGAGING SAID TENSIONING DRUM TO ROTATE IT IN A DIRECTION TO PLACE IN TENSIONING MEANS UNDER OPERABLE TENSION, AND HOLDING MEANS RELEASABLY ENGAGEABLE BY SAID TENSION-

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