# US 2019/0376580 A1 · Rope gripper > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0376580 A1 - Document ID: US20190376580A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/998,822 - Filed: 2018-08-16 - Published: 2019-12-12 - Earliest claimed: 2018-06-07 - Inventors: David Oldiges - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190376580A1 ## CPC - F16G 11/046: {by bending the cable around a surface} - F16G 11/106: {using a toothed surface} - F16G: BELTS, CABLES, OR ROPES, PREDOMINANTLY USED FOR DRIVING PURPOSES; CHAINS; FITTINGS PREDOMINANTLY USED THEREFOR ## Abstract A rope gripping apparatus and methods for its use. The rope gripper has a spring acting on a cam which causes the cam to rotate about a fixed point from an open position to a closed position. When a rope is present in the apparatus the cam will contact and grip the rope when pulled in one direction, yet let the rope slide freely when pushed in the opposite direction. The cam can easily be opened for loading the rope by pressing the cam's thumb lever or by simply sliding the apparatus' channel opening and the cam against a taut rope. The cam can have two separate gripping profiles (teeth) on the peripheral edges to effectively grip a variety of rope diameters. The cam also has a retaining ridge built in which acts as a retaining wall to keep the rope retained inside of the channel during operation. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A rope gripper apparatus, comprising: a body; a cam configured to rotate inside the body into an open position and a closed position, the cam comprising an integrated retaining ridge which moves together with the cam; and a spring configured to naturally push the cam toward the closed position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the cam further comprises primary gripping teeth. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein the cam further comprises secondary gripping teeth. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising: a thumb lever connected to the cam, the thumb lever configured such that when pressed, causes the cam to swing into the open position against the force of the spring. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein the cam further comprises primary gripping teeth. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein the cam further comprises secondary gripping teeth. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the body further comprises an outer side comprising a lower lead-in which slants upwards. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the body further comprises an outer side comprising an upper lead-in which slants downwards. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The apparatus as recited in claim 7 wherein the outer side further comprises an upper lead-in which slants downwards. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the body further comprises an inner side of the body and a flared out front channel wall connected to the inner side. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein the body further comprises an inner side of the body and a flared out front channel wall connected to the inner side. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein the body further comprises an inner side of the body and a flared out front channel wall connected to the inner side. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the body further comprises an outer side comprising an upper lead-in which is rounded. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein the body further comprises an outer side comprising a lower lead-in which is rounded. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The apparatus as recited in claim 14, wherein the body further comprises an inner side of the body and a flared out front channel wall connected to the inner side. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a rope orifice in a floor of the body. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein a first leg of the spring fits inside the cam and a second leg of the spring rests on a roof of a ceiling inside the body. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a retention groove comprising a recessed groove on a floor of a bottom surface of a main channel in the body ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The apparatus as recited in claim 18, wherein the apparatus is configured such that when the cam is biased towards the closed position with no rope present inside the body, the cam extends into the retention groove. ### Claim 20 A method, comprising: providing a rope gripper apparatus comprising: a body; a cam configured to rotate inside the body into an open position and a closed position, the cam comprising an integrated retaining ridge which moves together with the cam; and a spring configured to naturally push the cam toward the closed position. loading a rope inside the rope gripper; and performing a forward stroke and a backward stroke with the rope gripper.