Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
242 words
A traction device for causing stepwise relative displacement between the device and an elongate member, the device comprising: (a) a stationary clamp and, (b) a movable clamp which is displaceable by a cylinder and piston unit relative to the stationary clamp in the lengthwise direction of the elongate member, (c) each of said clamps having a pair of closing jaws for engaging the elongate member, (d) a respective pressure-operated jaw opening device being provided for each clamp for opening the jaws of the clamp to release the elongate member, said stationary clamp having a first jaw opening device and said moveable clamp having a second jaw opening device, each of said jaw opening devices having a two way valve therein for blocking the flow of pressure medium when its respective clamp is closed, and permitting the flow of pressure medium when its respective clamp is opened, (e) a first control valve having a first and second state which supplies pressure medium alternately to the first and second jaw opening devices, the state of the first control valve being selected by the movement of the cylinder and piston unit, (f) the stroke direction of the cylinder and piston unit being controlled by a second control valve, said second control valve having a first and a second state with the state of the second control valve also being selected by the pressure medium passing through the two way valves in the jaw opening devices.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
242 words
A traction device for causing stepwise relative displacement between the device and an elongate member, the device comprising: (a) a stationary clamp and, (b) a movable clamp which is displaceable by a cylinder and piston unit relative to the stationary clamp in the lengthwise direction of the elongate member, (c) each of said clamps having a pair of closing jaws for engaging the elongate member, (d) a respective pressure-operated jaw opening device being provided for each clamp for opening the jaws of the clamp to release the elongate member, said stationary clamp having a first jaw opening device and said moveable clamp having a second jaw opening device, each of said jaw opening devices having a two way valve therein for blocking the flow of pressure medium when its respective clamp is closed, and permitting the flow of pressure medium when its respective clamp is opened, (e) a first control valve having a first and second state which supplies pressure medium alternately to the first and second jaw opening devices, the state of the first control valve being selected by the movement of the cylinder and piston unit, (f) the stroke direction of the cylinder and piston unit being controlled by a second control valve, said second control valve having a first and a second state with the state of the second control valve also being selected by the pressure medium passing through the two way valves in the jaw opening devices.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
A traction device as claimed in claim 1, in which the moveable clamp is mounted on a support which is attached to the piston of the cylinder and piston unit, the support cooperating, at the ends of the piston stroke, with dogs to alternate the state of the first control valve between said first and second states.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A traction device as claimed in claim 2, in which the opening device for the movable clamp is carried by the support, with the pressure medium being supplied thereto by a hose.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A traction device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the jaw opening devices are plungers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
A traction device as claimed in claims 1 or 2 or 3, in which all of the jaw opening members are double-acting, and are each operable in one direction to open the respective clamp and in the opposite direction to allow the clamp to close.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
A traction device as claimed in claim 5, in which operation of the jaw opening device of each clamp in the said opposite direction is controlled by pressure medium supplied to the opening device of the other clamp for operation in the said one direction.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A traction device as claimed in claims 1 or 2 or 3, in which the jaw opening devices present different areas to the pressure medium.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
A traction device as claimed in claims 1 or 2 or 3, in which a respective pressure-operated jaw closing device is provided for each clamp to assist the self-closing action of the clamp.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
A traction device as claimed in claim 8, in which the jaw closing device of each clamp is controlled by pressure medium supplied to the jaw opening device of the other clamp.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
A traction device as claimed in claim 6, in which the jaw opening device for each clamp operates on one jaw of the clamp and in which the jaw closing device of that clamp operates on the other jaw.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
A traction device as claimed in claims 1 or 2 or 3, in which the jaw opening and closing devices are carried by the jaws of the clamps.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
A traction device as claimed in claim 8, in which, when pressure medium is supplied simultaneously to both the jaw opening device and the jaw closing device of each clamp, the net effect is just sufficient to overcome the self-closing effect of the jaw.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
73 words
A traction device as claimed in claim 1, in which pressure medium from the second control valve is relieved through a non-return valve interconnecting the inlet and the outlet of each two-way valve and wherein the non-return valves are controllable whereby, when the device is applying load to the elongate member, the non-return valves are held open so that pressure medium for operating the second control valve bypasses the respective jaw opening device.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
A traction device as claimed in claim 13, in which the first and second control valves and the non-return valves are provided in a common unit.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
A traction device as claimed in claim 1, in which the first control valve is operated by resilient dogs which enable the cylinder and piston unit to continue its stroke after the first control valve has changed over.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
A traction device as claimed in claim 1, in which the second control valve is resiliently biased into the position corresponding to the application of load to the elongate member.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
48 words
A traction device as claimed in claims 1 or 2 or 3, in which the cylinder and piston unit is single acting in the direction corresponding to the application of load to the elongate member, with return of the cylinder and piston unit being effected by a spring.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
44 words
A traction device as claimed in claims 1 or 2 or 3, in which a speed control valve is provided in the line between the cylinder and the second control valve, the speed control valve being operative during paying out of the elongate member.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
44 words
A traction device as claimed in any one of claims 1, in which an automatic load holding valve is provided in the line between a pressure medium pump and the first control valve for restricting the speed of the elongate member during paying out.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
A traction device as claimed in claims 1 or 2 or 3, in which the cylinder and piston unit, the clamps, the opening devices and the control valves are accommodated in a housing.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
58 words
A traction device as claimed in claims 1 or 2 or 3, in which each of the stationary clamp and the movable clamp further comprises two clamps mounted on levers which are pivotable about axes passing through the central axis of the cylinder and piston unit, whereby two elongate members can be displaced in tandem through the device.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
68 words
A traction device as claimed in claim 21, in which each of the two movable clamps are pivotally connected to the piston of the cylinder and piston unit, and in which each of the two stationary clamps are mounted on the cylinder on the opposite side of the cylinder and piston unit so as to be nearer the loaded end of the elongate member than the movable clamps.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
A traction device as claimed in claim 22, in which the stationary clamps are disposed adjacent openings for the elongate member.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
29 words
A traction device as claimed in claims 1 or 2 or 3, which is adapted to raise and lower a loaded elongate member in the form of a cable.