What is another name for a sheave in rigging?

A sheave in rigging is commonly referred to as a pulley. This terminology is used because a sheave is essentially the grooved wheel within a block or a device that allows for the rope or cable to be run through it, thereby facilitating the lifting and lowering of loads. The design of a sheave allows it to capture and guide the rope effectively while distributing the load along the wheel’s surface. This is crucial in rigging as it helps in altering the direction of the force applied and can also reduce the amount of force needed to lift heavy items.

In contrast, while "block" is associated with sheaves since a block often contains one or more sheaves, it is not synonymous because a block refers to the entire assembly, which includes the sheave as one of its components. "Clamp" and "link" refer to entirely different rigging components and do not carry the same functional properties as a sheave or pulley. Thus, referring to a sheave as a pulley highlights its primary function and usage in rigging applications.