US 12,109,671 B2
Mechanical tensioning system and method
Christian Ivan Basson, Durban (ZA); and Lorenzo Andrea Missio, Durban (ZA)
Assigned to ADVMET (PTY) LTD, Salt Rock (ZA)
Appl. No. 17/611,329
Filed by ADvMet (Pty) Ltd, Durban (ZA)
PCT Filed May 14, 2020, PCT No. PCT/IB2020/054581
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Nov. 15, 2021,
PCT Pub. No. WO2020/230081, PCT Pub. Date Nov. 19, 2020.
Claims priority of application No. 2019/03053 (ZA), filed on May 16, 2019; and application No. 2020/00823 (ZA), filed on Feb. 10, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0226976 A1, Jul. 21, 2022
Int. Cl. B25B 29/02 (2006.01)
CPC B25B 29/02 (2013.01) 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A removable mechanical tensioning system for stretching an elongate member in an axial direction, the elongate member being located in and attachable to an object via a nut, wherein the system comprises:
an anti-rotation member; and
a tensioner device defining an interior within which the elongate member and nut are locatable, in use, wherein the anti-rotation member is removably attachable to the tensioner device and the elongate member, and wherein the tensioner device comprises or is operatively coupled to a nut engaging assembly configured to engage the nut, in use, such that displacement of at least a transversely displaceable part of the tensioner device in a transverse direction, transverse to the axial direction, with a holding force applied to the anti-rotation member to limit displacement of the anti-rotation member and the elongate member in the transverse direction, causes stretch of the elongate member in the axial direction and automatic actuation of the nut engaging assembly to bring about displacement of the nut in the transverse direction relative to the stretched elongate member with torque which is lower than torque applied to the bring about operative displacement of the transversely displaceable part of the tensioner device;
wherein the tensioner device has a central axis and comprises:
a base portion;
a friction element; and
a tensioning body attached to the base portion while abutting the friction element, wherein the tensioning body is freely displaceable in the transverse direction relative to the base portion and the friction element in a frictional fashion, at least in use;
wherein the tensioning body is substantially cylindrical extending between first and second end portions along the central axis, wherein the first end portion of the tensioning body defines engaging formations within a bore thereof for engaging the anti-rotation member, in use, and wherein the tensioning body defines a chamber in the second end portion, wherein the chamber is in communication with the bore, wherein the tensioning body is attached to the base portion adjacent the second end portion thereof, and wherein the base portion defines an aperture aligned with the central axis for receiving the elongate member and nut, and locating the same operatively in the bore and chamber of the tensioning body, respectively.