Interconnecting control head for twin push/pull cables

A control lever apparatus for actuating two sheathed control cable assemblies, the control lever apparatus having:

• (a) a body having journalling means and a longitudinal body axis,
• (b) a manual lever and sprocket means cooperating with the journalling means for concurrent rotation relative to the body,
• (c) a sheath anchoring means cooperating with the body and having sheath clamp means adapted for securing end portions of sheaths of the two sheathed control cable assemblies relative to the body and laterally spaced apart,
• (d) a length of chain passing over the sprockets, the chain having two opposite end portions which can extend generally axially of the body and can be generally aligned with the clamp means, the chain having a length to accommodate full rotation of the lever while maintaining end portions of the chain generally aligned with the sheath clamp means,
• (e) core connecting means secured to ends of the chain and adapted to be secured to respective cores of the sheathed control cable assemblies, each core being axially moveable within a respective sheath, the core connecting means including a generally C-shaped member having an upper portion having a transverse opening with a transverse axis, the transverse opening being adapted to receive a pin which cooperates directly with an end link of the chain for securing the C-shaped member to an end of the chain, the C-shaped member also having a lower portion having a longitudinal opening with a longitudinal axis, the longitudinal opening being adapted to receive the core of the cable which can be secured relative thereto, the longitudinal axis of the lower portion also intersecting the transverse axis of the upper portion so that the core can be axially aligned with an adjacent length of the chain.

A control lever apparatus for actuating two sheathed control cable assemblies, the control lever apparatus having:

• (a) a body having journalling means and a longitudinal body axis,
• (b) a manual lever and sprocket means cooperating with the journalling means for concurrent rotation relative to the body,
• (c) a sheath anchoring means cooperating with the body and having sheath clamp means adapted for securing end portions of sheaths of the two sheathed control cable assemblies relative to the body and laterally spaced apart, so as to be parallel to the axis of the body and laterally spaced apart, the sheath anchoring means cooperating with the body for axial movement relative to the body,
• (d) adjusting means cooperating with the sheath anchoring means and the body for causing the said axial movement of the sheath anchoring means, and to permit the sheath anchoring means to be locked relative to the body,
• (e) a length of chain passing over the sprockets, the chain having two opposite end portions which can extend generally axially of the body and can be generally aligned with the clamp means, the chain having a length to accommodate full rotation of the lever while maintaining end portions of the chain generally aligned with the sheath clamp means,
• (f) core connecting means secured to ends of the chain and adapted to be secured to respective cores of the sheathed control cable assemblies, each core being axially moveable within a respective sheath.

A coupling and control apparatus including:

• (a) first and second control lever assemblies having first and second manual levers and bodies respectively, each lever being rotatable relative to the respective body, the lever assemblies also having respective first and second sprockets mounted for rotation concurrently with the respective first and second levers, each lever reflecting relative position of the respective sprocket,
• (b) first and second lengths of chain passing over the first and second sprockets, each length of chain having respective end portions and a length sufficient to accommodate rotation of the sprocket,
• (c) first and second sheathed control cable assemblies for interconnecting the first and second lengths of chain, each sheathed control cable assembly having a core and a sheath, the core of each control cable assembly has one end secured to an end link of the first length of chain and an opposite end secured to an end link of the second length of chain to form a continuous loop extending between the two sprockets, each core being axially moveable within a respective sheath to transmit concurrently rotation of one lever to the other lever, the sheath of each control cable assembly having one end secured to the body of the first lever assembly, and an opposite end secured to the body of the second lever assembly,
• (d) four generally C-shaped members are provided to connect the ends of the chains to the cores of the control cable assemblies to that end portions of the chains can extend generally axially of the body and can be aligned with and connected to the respective cores, each generally C-shaped member including an upper portion having a transverse opening with a transverse axis, the transverse opening being adapted to receive a pin which cooperates directly with the end link of the chain, each C-shaped member also including a lower portion having a longitudinal opening with a longitudinal axis, the longitudinal opening being adapted to receive the core of the cable which can be secured relative thereto, the longitudinal axis of the lower portion intersecting the transverse axis of the upper portion, so that adjacent portions of the chain and core can be axially aligned.

A coupling and control apparatus including:

• (a) first and second control lever assemblies having first and second manual levers and bodies respectively, each lever being rotatable relative to the respective body, the lever assemblies also having respective first and second sprockets mounted for rotation concurrently with the first and second levers, each lever reflecting relative position of the respective sprocket,
• (b) first and second lengths of chain passing over the first and second sprockets, each length of chain having respective end portions and a length sufficient to accommodate rotation of the sprocket,
• (c) first and second sheathed control cable assemblies, each sheathed control cable assembly having a core and a sheath, each core having opposite ends, the end of each core being connected to a respective end of a length of chain to form a continuous loop of two chains and two cores extending between the two sprockets, the sheaths of the cable assembly having opposite ends secured relative to the bodies of the control lever assemblies, the cores being axially slidable within a respective sheath so that rotation of one sprocket is transmitted concurrently to the other sprocket,
• (d) at least one control lever assembly having an adjusting means for adjusting relative distance between adjacent ends of a core and its respective sheath, the adjusting means being integrated into the control lever assembly to cooperate directly with the control cable assembly and to be independent of adjacent surrounding structure, so as to facilitate installation and essential elimination of any resulting loss of motion.