A grooved metal insert placed inside a rope loop to protect the wire rope from sharp bends at termination points.
Full Definition
Elevator thimbles are teardrop-shaped or grooved steel inserts fitted inside the loop formed when a wire rope is terminated. They distribute the bending load over a larger radius, preventing kinking and reducing stress concentration at the point where the rope meets a shackle, hook, or socket. Without a thimble, the sharp bend would rapidly fatigue the rope wires at the termination. Thimbles are rated by rope diameter and must match the rope to ensure the groove radius is correct. They are inspected for wear, deformation, and corrosion during maintenance.
