| 6 x 19 |
A six-strand wire rope with 19 wires per strand. |
| basket hitch |
A sling configuration formed from a grommet that is used to form a cradle for the load. Basket hitches are typically used in pairs. |
| bend |
A type of knot that is used to join two pieces of rope. |
| birdcaging |
Permanent damage to a wire rope from shock loads. Strain causes the strands of rope to protrude in the form of a birdcage. |
| bridle hitch |
A sling configuration that is used to help balance a load by distributing the weight more evenly. |
| cable-laid |
A rope lay configuration in which three right-hand hawser-laid lines are twisted in a left-hand direction. Cable-laid rope typically is used for heavy construction. |
| choker hitch |
A sling configuration that is used for loads that are irregularly shaped and difficult to balance. |
| clamp |
An end fitting used to secure hardware to the end of a rope. |
| clove hitch |
A type of fastening in which a rope forms a noose around an object by looping it twice around the object, and pulling the ends of the rope tautly in opposite directions. |
| connecting link |
A small, oblong metal ring used to attach slings to loads and lifting equipment. |
| core |
The inner part of a rope around which strands are twisted to give the rope more strength. |
| cotter pin |
A small, slender metal fastening used to hold a fitting in place. |
| double sheet bend |
A fastening that is used on ropes of different thickness or rigidity. |
| endless sling |
A rope, chain, or piece of synthetic webbing that forms an unbroken circle. Also known as a grommet. |
| eye and eye |
A basic sling configuration made from a rope with an eye splice at each end. |
| eye splice |
A type of splice that is used to make a permanent loop at the end of a rope. |
| eyebolt |
A threaded bolt with a forged hole or loop at one end. |
| fiber rope |
Rope made from thin pieces of material twisted to form a yarn. Fiber rope can be composed of natural fibers or synthetic fibers. |
| figure-eight |
A larger, more complex type of overhand knot. |
| fitting |
A piece of hardware used to reinforce and secure ropes. |
| forged eyebolt |
An extremely rugged eyebolt designed for lifting heavy loads. |
| fraying |
The unraveling of rope fibers caused by friction, prolonged use, or damage to the rope. |
| grommet |
A rope, chain, or piece of synthetic webbing that forms an unbroken circle. Also known as an endless sling. |
| hawser-laid |
A rope lay configuration in which three strands are usually twisted in a right-hand direction. |
| headache ball |
A heavy ball attached to a hook to keep the lifting cable taut. Headache balls are typically used on cranes. |
| hitch |
A type of knot that forms a noose around an object such as a pipe or a post in order to secure it. Hitches are meant to be temporary and therefore can be undone easily. |
| hook |
A lifting device used to pick up loads with eyebolts attached. Hooks are usually used with chains, hoists, and slings. |
| kinking |
Damage to wire rope caused by bending it sharply. |
| knot |
A fastening that is formed by tying a rope to another object or to itself. A good knot should be easy to tie and untie, and it should hold without slipping. |
| lang lay |
In wire rope, the strands and wires that are wound in the same direction. |
| lay |
The direction in which the strands of a rope are twisted. |
| link |
A metal ring used to attach slings to loads and lifting equipment. Links can be oblong, pear-shaped, or round. |
| load |
The opposition to applied force, such as a weight to be carried or moved. |
| long splice |
A type of splice that creates almost no increase in the diameter of the rope. Long splices are used for running through blocks or sheaves. |
| master link |
A large, oblong link used to attach slings to loads and lifting equipment. |
| natural fiber |
Material that comes from plants such as Manila, sisal, coir, and cotton. |
| nylon |
An artificial material made from polymers. Nylon is extremely strong and resilient. |
| overhand knot |
A simple type of fastening in which a rope is twisted into a loop, and one end of the rope is inserted through the loop. |
| pear-shaped link |
A link in the shape of a pear that is used to connect chains. A disadvantage of pear-shaped links is that they can slip and be turned upside down, causing the narrow end of the link to bend and become weakened. |
| pin |
A slender metal fastening. |
| pivot |
To turn 180 degrees. |
| polyester |
An artificial material used for its strength and resistance to ultraviolet deterioration. |
| polyethylene |
An artificial material made from petroleum and natural gas. Polyethylene is used to make plastic bottles and bags. |
| polypropylene |
An artificial material that is tough, lightweight, rigid, and resistant to chemicals. |
| regular lay |
In wire rope, the strands and wires are wound in opposite directions from each other. |
| reverse lay |
In wire rope, the strand wires are wound in the opposite direction of the wires in the adjacent strand. |
| rigging |
The process of lifting and moving heavy loads with ropes, chains, and mechanical devices. |
| ring |
A round link. |
| saddle |
The removable bottom of a U-bolt clamp. |
| safety latch |
A fastening that prevents the load from slipping off the hook. |
| seizing |
A method of forming an extremely strong connection to a wire rope by wrapping and tightening a wire around the rope. |
| shackle |
A U-shaped piece of metal that is closed at the end with a pin or bolt. |
| short splice |
A type of splice that is extremely strong but increases the diameter of the rope. |
| shoulder eyebolt |
An eyebolt used for increased strength when side forces impact the load during lifting. |
| shroud-laid |
A rope lay configuration in which four strands are twisted in a right-hand direction around a central core. Shroud-laid rope is resistant to kinking. |
| single sheet bend |
A fastening that is used on ropes of different thickness or rigidity. |
| single-leg sling |
A sling configuration in which one end is fastened to a hook or shackle and the other suspends the load on a single line of rope or chain. |
| sling |
A loop of material that connects the load to the lifting device. Slings can be made of chain, wire, metal mesh, natural, and synthetic materials. |
| socket |
A type of fitting that can be installed and removed quickly and easily. |
| splicing |
A method of joining two ends of rope by unlaying the strands, placing the rope ends together, and interweaving the strands. |
| square reef bend |
A fastening that is used on ropes of the same diameter. |
| standard eyebolt |
An eyebolt used only for vertical lifting. |
| stopper |
A type of knot that forms a knob at the end of the rope. |
| swivel |
To turn 360 degrees. |
| synthetic fiber |
Material that comes from man-made substances such as nylon, polyester, polyethylene, and polypropylene. |
| thimble |
A small piece of hardware used to reinforce the loop in an eye splice. |
| thread |
A raised, helical rib or ridge around the interior or exterior of a cylindrically shaped object. Threads are found on screws, nuts, and bolts and are used to fit parts or provide motion. |
| throat opening |
The open area near the point of the hook. |
| timber hitch |
A type of fastening in which a rope forms a noose around an object, and the end of the rope is looped several times through the noose to secure it. |
| turnbuckle |
A fitting that allows a load to be leveled by adjusting the tension of wire rope. The end fittings of a turnbuckle can be eyes, hooks, or jaws, and they can be used in any combination, |
| U-bolt |
A commonly used clamp that is placed over the rope, and a removable bottom is secured to the bottom of the clamp with two nuts. |
| wedge socket |
A commonly used socket for applications in which the length of the rope is frequently altered. |
| wire rope |
Rope made from strands of steel or iron. Wire rope is used for jobs that require the rope to be extremely strong and resistant to abrasion. |