LOCKING DEVICE WITH SERPENTINE GRIPPING MEMBER

摘要

A serpentine shaped wire clip is disposed in a tapered bore of a housing for axial displacement in the bore and has in a preferred embodiment three U-shaped loops interconnected by end portions. The clip has a bore dimensioned for receiving a cable or rod in radial resilient compressive engagement along the clip entire length which engagement causes the clip to axial displace with the displacement of the cable or rod. The axial displacement of the clip in the tapered bore wedges the clip to the housing and cable or rod locking the elements. The clip may have any number of loops and wire diameter. Also, the housing may have a cylindrical bore and the tapered region may be formed on a rod or bar. The clip may be locked to smooth and grooved surfaces including threads. The housing and rod each have a different one of a cylindrical surface and tapered surface. The clip radially grips the cylindrical surface while wedging in response to relative displacement of the tapered surface to the cylindrical surface. Preferably the tapered surface is the hardest and the cylindrical surface is the softest when the cylindrical surface is smooth.