초록 ▼

Embodiments of a rope tension device for cinching a load with a rope are disclosed. The rope tension device includes a frame and brake member. The frame includes a first rail and a second rail with a bracing structure extending between the first rail and the second rail such that the bracing structu

Embodiments of a rope tension device for cinching a load with a rope are disclosed. The rope tension device includes a frame and brake member. The frame includes a first rail and a second rail with a bracing structure extending between the first rail and the second rail such that the bracing structure defines an arcuate surface. The brake member is pivotably coupled to the frame. Further, the brake member defines a brake surface such that the brake surface is biased with a spring member toward the arcuate surface, the brake surface defining an axially extending concave feature that faces the arcuate surface of the bracing structure. With this arrangement, a gap defined between the arcuate surface and the axially extending concave feature varies in height along an axial width defined between the first and second rails so as to receive the rope within the gap for cinching the load.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A rope tension device for cinching a load with a rope, the rope tension device comprising: a frame including a first rail and a second rail with a bracing structure extending between the first rail and the second rail, the first rail fixedly positioned relative to the second rail, the bracing str

1. A rope tension device for cinching a load with a rope, the rope tension device comprising: a frame including a first rail and a second rail with a bracing structure extending between the first rail and the second rail, the first rail fixedly positioned relative to the second rail, the bracing structure defining an arcuate surface; anda brake member pivotably coupled to the frame, the brake member having a brake surface such that the brake surface is biased with a spring member toward the arcuate surface, the brake surface defining an axially extending concave feature that faces the arcuate surface of the bracing structure;wherein a gap between the arcuate surface and the axially extending concave feature varies in height along an axial width defined between the first rail and the second rail. 2. The rope tension device of claim 1, further comprising a rope member having a generally circular cross-section, the rope member configured to extend through the gap between the arcuate surface of the bracing structure and the axially extending concave feature of the brake member. 3. The rope tension device of claim 2, wherein the brake surface comprises multiple rows of teeth extending therefrom such that more than one row of teeth contact the rope member for cinching the load. 4. The rope tension device of claim 1, wherein the axially extending concave feature comprises an axially extending concave surface. 5. The rope tension device of claim 1, wherein the axially extending concave feature comprises multiple teeth in an axial row such that the axially extending concave feature is defined by an outer-most axial profile of ends of the teeth in the axial row. 6. The rope tension device of claim 1, wherein the brake surface comprises multiple teeth extending therefrom, the multiple teeth being canted so as to facilitate the rope to readily move in one direction and to substantially prevent movement of the rope in a second direction. 7. The rope tension device of claim 1, wherein the arcuate surface of the bracing structure defines an axial concave surface. 8. The rope tension device of claim 1, wherein the arcuate surface of the bracing structure defines an axial flat surface and a cylindrical structure. 9. The rope tension device of claim 1, wherein the arcuate surface comprises a textured surface. 10. The rope tension device of claim 1, wherein the bracing structure comprises a roller member configured to rotate. 11. The rope tension device of claim 1, wherein the bracing structure is fixed to the first and second rails of the frame. 12. The rope tension device of claim 1, wherein the brake member comprises a channel portion for receiving the rope, the channel portion defined by first and second peripheral side walls with the brake surface defined therebetween and teeth extending from the brake surface. 13. The rope tension device of claim 1, wherein the brake surface extends with a radial concave profile between a top end and a bottom end of the brake surface, the radial concave profile defining a radius relative to an axis of the bracing structure. 14. A rope tension device, comprising: a frame including a first rail and a second rail, the first rail fixedly positioned relative to the second rail;a bracing structure positioned between the first rail and the second rail at an end portion of the frame, the bracing structure defining an arcuate surface;a brake member pivotably coupled to the frame, the brake member having a brake surface such that the brake surface is biased with a spring member toward the arcuate surface of the bracing structure, the brake member including a channel portion defined by first and second peripheral side walls and the brake surface between the side walls, the brake surface including teeth extending therefrom and extending toward the arcuate surface of the bracing structure. 15. The rope tension device of claim 14, wherein the brake surface and the arcuate surface define a gap therebetween such that the gap defines a height that varies along an axial width between the first rail and the second rail. 16. The rope tension device of claim 14, further comprising a rope having a generally circular cross-section, the rope configured to be positioned along the channel portion and between the brake surface and the arcuate surface of the bracing structure. 17. The rope tension device of claim 14, wherein the brake surface comprises an axially extending concave feature. 18. The rope tension device of claim 14, wherein the arcuate surface of the bracing structure comprises an axially extending concave surface. 19. The rope tension device of claim 14, wherein the arcuate surface of the bracing structure comprises an axially extending flat surface. 20. The rope tension device of claim 14, wherein the bracing structure comprises a roller member configured to rotate. 21. The rope tension device of claim 14, wherein the brake surface extends with a radial concave profile between a top end and a bottom end of the brake surface, the radial concave profile defining a radius relative to an axis of the bracing structure. 22. The rope tension device of claim 21, wherein the brake member includes first and second peripheral side walls extending toward the bracing structure to define a channel portion. 23. A method for providing tension in a rope, the method comprising: coupling a first portion of the rope to an object;extending the rope through a gap defined between a brake member and a bracing structure coupled to a frame of a rope tension device such that the gap varies in height along an axial width between first and second rails of the frame, the first rail fixedly positioned relative to the second rail, the brake member pivotably coupled to the frame of the rope tension device and biased toward the bracing structure with a spring member;pulling a second portion of the rope with a pulling force from an upper side of the frame to place a tension force on the first portion of the rope extending from a bottom side of the frame; andmaintaining the tension force in the first portion of the rope with teeth extending from a brake surface biased against the rope and toward the bracing structure. 24. The method according to claim 23, wherein the extending the rope through the gap comprises extending the rope through the gap such that the brake surface defines an axially extending concave feature. 25. The method according to claim 23, wherein the extending the rope through the gap comprises extending the rope through the gap such that the brake member defines a channel portion defined by first and second peripheral side walls with the brake surface therebetween. 26. The method according to claim 23, wherein the extending the rope through the gap comprises extending the rope through the gap such that the bracing structure defines an arcuate surface facing the brake surface, the arcuate surface comprising at least one of an axially extending concave surface and an axially extending flat surface. 27. The method according to claim 23, wherein the extending the rope through the gap comprises extending the rope through the gap such that the brake surface defines a radial concave profile between a top end and a bottom end of the brake surface, the radial concave profile defining a radius relative to an axis of the bracing structure. 28. A rope tension device, comprising: a frame including a first rail and a second rail, the first rail fixedly positioned relative to the second rail;a bracing structure positioned between the first rail and the second rail at an end portion of the frame, the bracing structure defining an arcuate surface;a brake member pivotably coupled to the frame, the brake member having a brake surface such that the brake surface is biased with a spring member toward the arcuate surface of the bracing structure, the brake surface including teeth extending therefrom and extending toward the arcuate surface of the bracing structure, the brake surface defining a concave feature such that a gap between the arcuate surface and the concave feature varies in height along an axial width defined between the first rail and the second rail. 29. The rope tension device of claim 28, wherein the concave feature of the brake surface comprises a radial concave profile defined between a top end and a bottom end of the brake surface, the radial concave profile defined by a radius relative to an axis of the bracing structure. 30. The rope tension device of claim 29, wherein the radial concave profile extends axially in a generally linear manner. 31. The rope tension device of claim 30, wherein the arcuate surface of the bracing structure comprises an axially extending concave surface. 32. The rope tension device of claim 29, wherein the radial concave profile extends axially with an axial concave profile. 33. The rope tension device of claim 28, wherein the concave feature of the brake surface comprises an axially extending concave profile. 34. The rope tension device of claim 33, wherein the arcuate surface of the bracing structure extends axially with at least one of a concave profile and a flat profile.