Comment choisir son taquet coinceur Allen

Comment choir son taquet coinceur Allen

Choosing the correct Cam Cleat.

Les taquets à mâchoires sont disponibles en différents matériaux, tailles et disposent d'une large gamme d'accessoires pour répondre à de nombreuses applications différentes. Il peut donc être décourageant de savoir quel type ou accessoire est nécessaire pour répondre à des besoins de taquet spécifiques. Vous trouverez ici toutes les informations nécessaires pour faire le bon choix - par les concepteurs du taquet à mâchoires original en aluminium !

Tout d'abord, un peu d'histoire sur le taquet à mâchoires Allen - Les frères Allen, Tony et Glenn, sont les inventeurs du premier taquet à mâchoires en aluminium. Ils ont développé l'idée lors de la construction d'un Hornet « JACK-O-LEAN » numéro 205. Les frères avaient commencé par utiliser des taquets à mâchoires Tufnell, mais ils ont décidé qu'ils n'étaient pas assez bons. Les taquets à mâchoires Tufnell s'agrippaient bien lorsqu'ils étaient neufs mais rendaient le largage du cordage difficile. Une fois usés, quelques séances de navigation plus tard, ils glissaient et devenaient inutilisables.

Après de nombreux mois de recherche, de conception et de prototypage, Tony Allen a construit une machine qui lui a permis de mouler sous pression ce qui est maintenant connu sous le nom de A..76 – Aluminium Ball Bearing Cam Clequet - bien que la première conception n'incluait pas de roulements à billes. Tony et Glenn ont ensuite vendu leur version du taquet à mâchoires pour 5 shillings chacun.

Aujourd'hui, Allen propose deux principaux types de taquets à mâchoires : lAluminium Ball Bearing où Allenite Plain Bearing Les taquets à mâchoires Allen conviennent à tout type de cordage d'un diamètre maximal de 10 mm et ont une charge de travail maximale de 150 kg. Ils conviennent donc aussi bien aux petits dériveurs qu'aux yachts.

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Aluminium Ball Bearing Cam Cleats have had over 60 years of meticulous R&D to perfect their design, the jaw profile is optimised for rope entry and exit which results in smooth cleating and un-cleating without chewing rope whilst doing so. The addition of ball bearings and double coil springs gives a super smooth cam action, allowing for a consistent feel every time the rope is cleated.

The aluminium cam cleat is designed to be more durable and is capable of withstanding higher loads thanks to the strength of the die-cast aluminium jaws at the expense of being slightly heavier than the Allenite version. This makes the aluminium version perfect for applications which may have a fast running control line, such as a spinnaker halyard, mainsheet or jib sheet.

Allenite Plain Bearing Cam Cleats feature the same jaw profile as the aluminium version but are moulded from a proprietary material developed by Allen specifically for low weight and good heat dissipation to increase wear resistance over standard acetals. The removal of ball bearings offers a further weight reduction and softer coil springs allow the rope to drop into the jaws with less load. The Allenite version offers a good weight saving over the aluminium version.

Allen has a range of accessories that suit both versions of the cam cleats. To know which accessory is needed the intended use needs to be clarified. It’s also handy to know the difference between the leading and exit side of the cam cleat. The cams open towards the exit side.

Wire Under Fairlead – This little wire fairlead fits onto the leading side of the cam cleat, clipping into the bottom and sitting flush with the mounting surface. The Wire Under Fairlead is designed to accomplish one main objective; guiding rope into the cam cleat. Especially useful in applications where rope coming into the cam cleat is higher than the cam cleat itself or when the lead for the rope is off centre.

Pro-Lead – An acetal cage that fits around the exit side of the cam cleat. This accessory is designed to keep the rope running centrally through the cam cleat whilst allowing for adjustment of the rope at any angle. Available with a wire opening (Mega Pro-Lead) which reduces the wear around the opening of the fairlead for applications which are constantly adjusted at off-centre angles.

Roller Fairlead – The A.597 was developed to reduce friction on the mainsheet. Ideal for making pumping or general trimming of the mainsheet easier. Perfect for any dinghy or keelboat that has a mainsheet jammer, especially classes that run a spilt tale mainsheet or have class legal pumping. The top roller allows for forceful pumps in an upward direction that won’t gradually wear through the rope-guide. The reduction in friction will also result in less energy expenditure for the sailor. Sideways loads are also catered for with rolling side fairleads that still guide the rope directly into the cam cleat jaw.

The A.597 comes with extra-long threads to allow for customisation with cleat lifters and wedges. The threads can then be cut to length.

Fairlead – A nylon fitting that fits directly on top of the cam cleat. The fairlead is specifically for stopping the rope from leaving the cam cleat and is best used for applications where high precision cleating from a distance is not required.

Wedges and lifters – Available in various sizes to tilt or raise the cam cleat to suit the lead of the rope or make cleating or un-cleating easier. Cam cleats should where possible have rope lead into them on a central or negative angle (below the mounting point). When this isn’t possible and a wire under fairlead adds too much friction because the angle is too great, then a wedge or lifter is a good solution. Allen wedges can be stacked and used in either direction to allow for maximum customisation.

Through Deck Fairlead – Featuring a tube with a stainless-steel insert to reduce wear and friction, this mounting plate is ideal for leading rope through any flat surface.

Allen manufactures, designs and distributes all its products from its Essex based factory. The company prides itself on innovation and is always working with the leading sailors from around the world to ensure their feedback is put directly into product development.