Swagless turnbuckle assembly

A cable gripping and tensioning apparatus comprising:

• a) a plurality of jaw members, each jaw member being tapered on an outer surface thereof from a larger first end to a smaller second end, said plurality of jaw members being configured to receive and grip a cable therebetween;
• b) a cylindrical collar having first and second free ends and having external threads between said first and second free ends and a tapered internal bore therein receivable of said plurality of tapered jaw members in said tapered internal bore;
• and
• c) a turnbuckle body having a threaded bore receivable of said threaded cylindrical collar entirely within said threaded bore,
• wherein tension exerted on said cable urges said plurality of jaw members into locking contact within said tapered internal bore of said cylindrical collar,
• wherein said threaded bore of said turnbuckle body is longer than said threaded cylindrical collar such that both of said first and second free ends of said threaded cylindrical collar may be contained simultaneously within said threaded bore of said turnbuckle body, and
• wherein tension in said cable can be varied by axial movement of said collar within said turnbuckle body at any time while said cable is secured in said collar by said jaw members.