Apparatus for gripping a chain
AssigneeSubsea 7 Limited
InventorJulek Romuald Tomas
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus for gripping a chain including a body which allows passage of the chain is disclosed. The body has first and second chain gripping devices, both adapted to grip the chain to restrict or prevent movement of the chain relative to the body. These first and second gripping devices are arranged in the body in respective first and second angular orientations which are offset with respect to one another, whereby the first and second chain gripping devices are adapted to grip respective links of the chain having different angular orientations. An associated method is also described.
Claims28
An apparatus for gripping a chain, the apparatus comprising a body having a body axis and allowing passage of the chain relative to the body along the body axis;
- the body having a first chain gripping device, adapted to grip the chain to restrict or prevent movement of the chain relative to the body;
- and
- a second chain gripping device, adapted to grip the chain to restrict or prevent movement of the chain relative to the body;
- the first and second chain gripping devices being arranged around the body axis in respective first and second angular orientations towards the body axis which are perpendicular to one another, whereby the first and second chain gripping devices are adapted to grip respective links of the chain that are perpendicular to one another.
A method of gripping a chain, the method comprising providing a body having a body axis and allowing passage of the chain relative to the body along the body axis;
- the body having a first chain gripping device, adapted to grip the chain to restrict or prevent movement of the chain relative to the body;
- and
- a second chain gripping device, adapted to grip the chain to restrict or prevent movement of the chain relative to the body;
- the first and second gripping devices being arranged around the body axis in respective first and second angular orientations towards the body axis which are perpendicular to one another, whereby the first and second chain gripping devices are adapted to grip respective links of the chain that are perpendicular to one another;
- wherein the method comprises gripping a first link of the chain with the first gripping device, the first link of the chain being in a first angular orientation and aligned with the first gripping device;
- and
- gripping a second link of the chain with the second gripping device, the second link of the chain being in a second angular orientation perpendicular to the first angular orientation and aligned with the second gripping device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.