I'm in search of a device that can hold a cable at any position by squeezing it. The cable I have goes through a pulley and supports a load, and I'm envisioning something like a lever and cam that applies pressure to grip the cable via friction. Any ideas on what such a device is called or where I might find one?
3 Answers
Have you looked into hoist kits? They work by allowing the rope to move freely when pulled down but lock in place when not. This might be exactly what you need for your application!
Definitely explore that! It sounds like it might solve your issue perfectly.
Please keep in mind safety! If this device is holding something heavy and people could potentially be under it, consider a non-friction locking mechanism. You don't want something that could slip and cause an accident.
You might want to try looking into cable grabs or cable clamps. They can hold cables securely, but if you're looking for something specifically designed to squeeze the cable for friction, I'm not sure if that exactly exists. You could check out some rock climbing gear as well; a device used in climbing, like an auto-braking device, might be what you're thinking of. Just a thought!

That sounds interesting! I’ll check out those hoist kits and see if they match what I'm looking for.