U.S. patent application number 11/086821 was filed with the patent office on 2005-10-06 for shock absorbing rope.
Invention is credited to Ikegami, Isao.
Application Number | 20050217748 11/086821 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35052959 |
Filed Date | 2005-10-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050217748 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ikegami, Isao |
October 6, 2005 |
Shock absorbing rope
Abstract
The invention provides a shock absorbing rope, in which a rope
body shaped in a long tube formed to be elongated in a longitudinal
direction thereof and a core member arranged inside of the tube of
the rope body in a eased state are formed independently and
separately from each other; the both ends of the rope body and the
both ends of the core member in the longitudinal direction thereof
are fixed with each other; and a length of the rope body in a
contraction state is shorter than a length of the core member that
is not in the eased state and the core member is arranged in the
tube of the rope body in the eased state, and the rope body can be
elongated longer than the length of the core member that is not in
the eased sate.
Inventors: |
Ikegami, Isao; (Toyama-ken,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Michael S. Leonard
Everest Intellectual Property Law Group
P.O. Box 708
Northbrook
IL
60065
US
|
Family ID: |
35052959 |
Appl. No.: |
11/086821 |
Filed: |
March 22, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
139/388 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D07B 1/02 20130101; D07B
2401/2005 20130101; D07B 2201/2091 20130101; D04C 1/12 20130101;
D07B 2201/209 20130101; D03D 3/02 20130101; A62B 35/04 20130101;
A63B 2005/163 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
139/388 |
International
Class: |
D03D 003/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 30, 2004 |
JP |
2004-100138 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A shock absorbing rope comprising: a rope body shaped in a long
tube that is formed to be elongatable in a longitudinal direction
thereof and a long core member that is arranged inside of the tube
of the rope body, wherein both ends of the rope body in the
longitudinal direction thereof and both ends of the core member are
fixed with each other, a length of the rope body in a contraction
state is shorter than a length of the core member that is not in an
eased state and the core member is arranged in the tube of the rope
body in the eased state, and the rope body can be elongated longer
than the length of the core member that is not in the eased
state.
2. The shock absorbing rope according to claim 1, wherein the rope
body can be elongated and contracted in the longitudinal direction
thereof combined with change of a configuration due to displacement
of a composition thread constituting the rope body, and the length
of the core member that is not in the eased state and the length of
the rope. body that is elongated in the longitudinal direction
thereof in accordance with the change of the configuration are set
to be substantially the same.
3. The shock absorbing rope according to claim 1, wherein a
bearable load of the rope body that is elongated to a maximum is
set to be heavier than that of the core member that is elongated to
the maximum, and a total sum of the bearable load of the rope body
in the maximum elongation and the bearable load of the core member
in the maximum elongation is set to be heavier than the maximum
load when a shock is given to the rope body and the core
member.
4. The shock absorbing rope according to claim 1, wherein the rope
body has a hollow woven structure.
5. The shock absorbing rope according to claim 1, wherein the rope
body is woven in a sate that a tension is applied to the
composition thread constituting the rope body; when weaving the
rope body, the configuration of the rope body is formed while being
elongated to the maximum; and after weaving of the rope body, the
configuration of the rope body is kept to be contracted in the
longitudinal direction thereof.
6. The shock absorbing rope according to claim 1, wherein the
composition thread constituting the rope body partially includes an
extensible rubber, and the extensible rubber is woven as a part of
a warp thread.
7. The shock absorbing rope according to claim 1, wherein the
composition thread constituting the rope body is composed of a
synthetic fiber of a high intension.
8. The shock absorbing rope according to claim 1, wherein the
composition thread of the core member is composed of a synthetic
fiber of a high ductility.
9. The shock absorbing rope according to claim 1, wherein the core
member has a structure of herringbone woven fabric or plain woven
fabric to be formed in a narrow width tape.
10. The shock absorbing rope according to claim 1, wherein the
shock absorbing rope comprises safety member for high altitude work
having connecting fittings that are fixed to the both ends of the
rope body and the core member in the longitudinal direction
thereof, respectively.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a shock absorbing rope
whereby an ideal shock absorbing property for alleviating a shock
given to a human body can be acquired. Particularly, the present
invention relates to the shock absorbing rope whereby oscillation
due to a reaction force after the shock can be attenuated so as to
be made smaller.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Conventionally, for example, at a high working site such as
a highrise building and a high scaffolding or the like where a
worker is damaged when he or she falls down, the worker generally
wears a shock absorbing rope while doing the work standing on the
scaffolding.
[0005] As an example of such a shock absorbing rope worn by the
worker, for example, a woven webbing having a shock absorbing
property is suggested (for example, refer to U.S. Pat. No.
6,085,802). A shock absorbing woven webbing 100 described in U.S.
Pat. No. 6,085,802 has two separate regions as shown in FIG. 6, one
is woven in succession to a first woven strap 101 and other is
woven in succession to a tubular webbing 102. A material of this
shock absorbing webbing 100 is composed of Kevlar (registered
trademark), nylon, and polyester and a combination thereof.
[0006] The first woven strap 101 forms a flat tubular web by
weaving a coupling thread 103 simultaneously on an upper side layer
and a lower side layer of a tubular member to be formed in
succession from a warp thread and a weft thread. One tubular
webbing 102 forms a tubular web by weaving the tubular member in
succession from the same warp thread and the same weft thread
composing the warp thread and the weft thread of the first woven
strap 101. In this tubular webbing 102, a filling thread 104
continued to the coupling thread 103 is not woven into each other
on the upper side layer and the lower side layer of the tubular
webbing 102 but the filling thread 104 is arranged inside of the
tubular webbing 102 as a filling member.
[0007] Further, the woven webbing 100 forms a double layer part 106
by inserting an end portion 105 arranged in the vicinity of a part
where the first woven strap 101 ends inside of the tubular webbing
102 and turning back a portion of the tubular webbing 102 to be
doubly folded. Thereby, a length of the tubular webbing 102
including a double layer part 106 is set to be longer than that of
the filling thread 104 arranged inside of the tubular webbing 102.
Elasticity of this filling thread 104 is set to be larger than that
of the tubular webbing 102.
[0008] The filling thread 104 is arranged so as to be freely
elongated inside of the tubular webbing 102 as a tension is applied
to the woven webbing 100. A material of the coupling thread 103 and
the filling thread 104 has an elongation ratio of 61% having the
minimum load for starting the elongation of 3.56 KN and the
material is made of a nylon resin material, a part of which is
directed.
[0009] A terminal end 107 of the filling thread 104 is attached to
a terminal end 108 of the tubular webbing 102 by using a proper
method. These terminal ends 107 and 108 are attached while folded
so as to form a loop to which a connecting fitting is attached. The
tubular webbing 102 at one side of the first woven strap 101 and an
end 109 at the opposite side thereof are attached while folded so
as to form a loop to which the connecting fitting is attached as
same as in the terminal end 108 of the tubular webbing 102.
[0010] Elasticity of the filling thread 104 arranged inside of the
tubular webbing 102 is larger than that of the tubular webbing 102
woven by the warp thread and the weft thread as described above and
the length of the filling thread 104 is short. Therefore, it is
possible to elongate the filling thread 104 to the length that is
limited by the length of the tubular webbing 102 woven by the warp
thread and the weft thread.
[0011] Accordingly, as soon as a tension is applied in a direction
shown by a reference symbol F in FIG. 6, the filling thread 104 is
elongated. When the filling thread 104 is elongated to the length
limited by the length of the tubular webbing 102, the folded double
layer part 106 of the tubular webbing 102 is released so as to form
the tubular member of a single layer. Thereby, absorbing the energy
of falling, the woven webbing 100 supports the entire load.
[0012] In the meantime, the woven webbing 100 described in U.S.
Pat. No. 6,085,802 absorbs the shock when the worker falls due to
the elongation of the filling thread 104 and the tubular
webbing102. Therefore, when the woven webbing 100 is elongated to a
scheduled length, the shock due to falling can be controlled.
However, after being elongated with a force applied, the woven
webbing 100 is contracting in a direction opposite to the
elongation direction from the last elongated position. The entire
woven webbing 100 jumps and eases up due to this reaction of
contraction, and then, repeating elongation again, the oscillation
due to elongation and easing up is generated. Therefore, when the
woven webbing 100 eases up after elongation, this results in
applying of an intense reaction force to the worker.
[0013] Thus, the conventional woven webbing 100 has a defect such
that a jumping phenomenon occurs. However, the conventional woven
webbing 100 has a structure such that the falling energy is
absorbed when the length of the webbing 100 is elongated.
Therefore, this structure has a problem such that the oscillation
due to the reaction force after the shock of the webbing 100 cannot
be made smaller by immediately attenuating it.
[0014] In addition, the conventional woven webbing 100 is formed by
an integral woven structure that the first woven strap 101 and the
tubular webbing 102 are continuously formed as described above.
Further, the webbing 100 forms the double layer part 106 by
inserting the end portion 105 arranged in the vicinity of the part
where the first woven strap 101 ends inside of the tubular webbing
102 and turning back the portion of the tubular webbing 102 to be
doubly folded. Therefore, this involves a problem such that
manufacturing of the woven webbing 100 takes a lot of trouble and
this leads to increase of its manufacturing cost or the like.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The present invention has been made taking the foregoing
problems into consideration and an object of which is to provide a
shock absorbing rope of a simple structure whereby an ideal shock
absorbing property for alleviating a shock given to a human body
can be acquired and an attenuation efficiency that oscillation due
to a jumping phenomenon after the shock can be attenuated so as to
be made smaller is enhanced.
[0016] The invention of a main aspect may include a shock absorbing
rope comprising: a rope body shaped in a long tube that is formed
to be elongatable in a longitudinal direction thereof and a long
core member that is arranged inside of the tube of the rope body,
wherein both ends of the rope body in the longitudinal direction
thereof and both ends of the core member are fixed with each other,
a length of the rope body in a contraction state is shorter than a
length of the core member that is not in an eased state and the
core member is arranged in the tube of the rope body in the eased
state, and the rope body can be elongated longer than the length of
the core member that is not in the eased state.
[0017] Accordingly, it is possible to separately form a rope body
shaped in a long tube that is formed to be elongated in a
longitudinal direction thereof and a core member that is inserted
inside of the tube of the rope body independently from each other.
Further, in the shock absorbing rope according to the present
invention, the core member that is in an eased state can be
arranged inside of the tubular part of the rope body that is
contracted. In addition, in the shock absorbing rope according to
the present invention, a length of the rope body that is contracted
can be made shorter than a length of the core member that is not in
an eased state and the ends at the both sides of the main body of
the rope in a longitudinal direction thereof and the ends at the
both sides of the core member can be secured with each other.
Further, in the shock absorbing rope according to the present
invention, the rope body can be elongated longer than the length of
the core member that is not in an eased state.
[0018] Preferably, the rope body can be elongated and contracted in
the longitudinal direction thereof combined with change of a
configuration due to displacement of a composition thread
constituting the rope body, and the length of the core member that
is not in the eased state and the length of the rope body that is
elongated in the longitudinal direction thereof in accordance with
the change of the configuration are set to be substantially the
same.
[0019] Thereby, the rope body and the core member can be elongated
in the same lengths against a shock load or the like, and this
makes it possible to support the shock load or the like by both of
the rope body and the core member.
[0020] Preferably, a bearable load of the rope body that is
elongated to a maximum is set to be heavier than that of the core
member that is elongated to the maximum, and a total sum of the
bearable load of the rope body in the maximum elongation and the
bearable load of the core member in the maximum elongation is set
to be heavier than the maximum load when a shock is given to the
rope body and the core member.
[0021] If a tension is affected on the rope body and the core
member, the rope body is elongated to the length when the core
member is not in an eased state due to change of the configuration
of its composition thread. When the rope body is elongated to the
length when the core member is not in an eased state, the tension
is affected on the composition thread constituting the core member
and the composition thread of the core member starts to elongate.
As soon as the composition thread of the core member starts to
elongate, the rope body is continuously elongating due to change of
the configuration of the composition thread thereof. After that,
the rope body is elongated continuing to change in the
configuration in accordance with elongation due to the composition
thread of the rope body together with elongation of the composition
thread of the core member.
[0022] Thus, according to the shock absorbing rope of the present
invention, in a series of a shock absorbing process, a step of
elongation due to change of the configuration of the composition
thread of the rope body, a step of elongation due to change of the
configuration of the composition thread of the rope body and
elongation due to elongation of the composition thread of the core
member, and a step of elongation due to elongation of the
composition threads of the core member and the rope body are
carried out sequentially and continuously. In other words, it is
possible to absorb the shock energy sequentially by three steps.
Therefore, it is possible to absorb the shock energy to be added to
the rope body and the core member step by step, so that the entire
shock load can be supported by the rope body and the core member.
In the meantime, in a series of the shock absorbing process, before
the step that the composition thread of the core member is
elongated, the step that the composition thread of the rope body
starts to elongate may start.
[0023] According to the shock absorbing rope of the present
invention, the shock force can be alleviated step by step by the
rope body and the core member, so that it is possible to enhance a
control operation to absorb the shock energy and attenuation
efficiency capable of immediately attenuating the oscillation after
the shock and making it smaller.
[0024] When the worker falls down who wears the shock absorbing
rope, for example, upon working at the high working site, generally
a contracting force is generated on each composition threads of the
rope body and the core member after the rope body and the core
member are elongated to the last elongation position. Due to the
reaction force of contraction, a pulling-up force to pull up the
worker is affected on the worker who falls down. However, according
to the shock absorbing rope of the present invention, the
pulling-up force is partially expensed for change of the
configuration of the entire rope body, so that it is possible to
make the shock force to the worker smaller.
[0025] In addition, even if falling of the worker due to the load
starts again after pulling up of the worker due to contraction of
the rope body and the core member, it is possible to enhance the
absorbing efficiency of the falling energy and to largely attenuate
the oscillation due to jumping by elongation of respective
composition threads of the rope body and the core member in
addition to change of the configuration of the rope body. Thereby,
with a simple structure, it is possible to acquire an ideal shock
absorbing property for alleviating a shock given to a human
body.
[0026] In the meantime, it is preferable that the core member is
made of a member that elongates in its longitudinal direction, but
is not contracted in its length direction. For example, a member
that can change irreversibly is preferable. Thereby, without
generation of the pulling-up force due to contraction of the core
member, the pulling-up force can be made smaller.
[0027] As described above, in the shock absorbing rope according to
the present invention, the rope body and the core member are formed
independently and separately. On a portion to affect the shock
absorbing energy, removing a shock absorbing part such as a part
that is sewn by plural threads and a part that is doubly folded,
the shock absorbing rope can be formed without having a particular
shock absorbing structure to absorb the shock by damage at the
shock absorbing part. Thereby, it is possible to easily make a
shock absorbing rope and stably acquire a shock absorbing rope of a
high quality and a good class.
[0028] Preferably, the rope body has a hollow woven structure.
[0029] According to a typical example of the rope body, for
example, the rope body can be composed of a hollow woven lot that
plural composition threads are inclined in right and left screws in
a longitudinal direction thereof with crossing each other. As a
lot, for example, a solid forging lot can be used. As a fabric of
the lot, for example, a lot of one thread, a lot of two threads,
and a lot of three and more threads or a fabric of mixture thereof
can be used. For example, one of the core members can be formed as
a string and a band by weaving and knitting.
[0030] Other structural example of the rope body can be formed by,
for example, a general hollow woven structure that is woven
elongatable in a longitudinal direction of the rope body by using
the warp thread and the weft thread. According to the hollow
weaving method, for example, by separating a warp thread row into
front and back sides and weaving by shuttling the weft thread in a
spiral, a tubular fabric can be formed. The configuration of the
rope body is not particularly limited, however, for example, the
tubular part of the rope body can be formed in a spiral and in a
gather or the like.
[0031] Generally, if the core member is elongated, at the maximum
stop position, the rope jumping phenomenon occurs. However, since
each of the plural composition threads can be made from a weaving
structure such as a lot fabric and a hollow woven fabric that can
be elongated in the longitudinal direction of the rope body
according to the present invention as described above, bondage of
respective composition threads is reduced and the rope body can be
freely elongated and contracted in its longitudinal direction. As a
result, the reaction force of the rope can be absorbed due to
change of configuration of the rope body, and the reaction of the
rope can be alleviated by a damper effect due to this change of
configuration, so that the oscillation after absorption of the
shock can be immediately attenuated so as to be made smaller. In
addition, the rope body can be freely elongated and contracted in
its longitudinal direction, so that damage of the rope body upon
absorption of the shock can be reduced.
[0032] Preferably, the rope body is woven in a sate that a tension
is applied to the composition thread constituting the rope body;
when weaving the rope body, the configuration of the rope body is
formed while being elongated to the maximum; and after weaving of
the rope body, the configuration of the rope body is kept to be
contracted in the longitudinal direction thereof.
[0033] When weaving the rope body, the configuration of the entire
rope body can be formed with being elongated to the maximum. Then,
the fabric is uniform in quality across its entire periphery and
without damage of the configuration of the entire rope, it is
possible to acquire the rope body with excellent measurement
stability. After weaving of the rope body, the rope body can be
preferably contracted. Further, the core member can be stored in
the contracted rope body and the operator can easily do the work
because the shock absorbing rope of the present invention does not
tangle with the operator wearing the shock absorbing rope of the
present invention and the rope is not an obstacle to the
operation.
[0034] As the composition thread of the rope body, a synthetic
fiber having a high intensity as the typical resin material can be
used. As the typical resin material, a fiber made of polypropylene,
polyester, and nylon or the like is available. When the tension is
affected on the rope body, it is possible to secure breaking
strength capable of supporting the entire load due to the structure
of the rope body and it is possible to support the entire load by
the rope body.
[0035] Preferably, the composition thread constituting the rope
body partially includes an extensible rubber, and the extensible
rubber is woven as a part of a warp thread.
[0036] Accordingly, it is possible to use the extensible rubber as
a part of the composition thread constituting the rope body and the
extensible rubber can be woven at the same time as weaving of the
rope body as a part of the warp thread. In the extensible rubber,
the width, the thickness, the sectional configuration, the
arrangement location, and the number of arrangement or the like can
be appropriately set with respect to the rope body. The weaving
fabric of the extensible rubber is made arbitrarily. For example,
it is not necessary that the extensible rubber straddles or crawl
under a plurality of composition threads and it may straddle or
crawl under one composition thread.
[0037] In addition, it is possible to make the rope body into the
minimum contraction state by an extensible elasticity of the
extensible rubber. Due to the extensible elasticity of the
extensible rubber, preferable configuration stability can be given
to the rope body. Therefore, the shock absorbing rope can be made
into a preferable length for the working operator wearing the shock
absorbing rope of the present invention. The extensible elasticity
of the extensible rubber also can absorb the falling energy at a
falling accident, for example, caused upon working at the high
working site. In addition, a damper effect to attenuate the rope
jumping phenomenon can be effected. In addition, when absorbing the
shock, by breaking the extensible rubber, the shock energy can be
absorbed.
[0038] Preferably, the composition thread constituting the rope
body is composed of a synthetic fiber of a high intension.
[0039] Preferably, the composition thread of the core member is
composed of a synthetic fiber of a high ductility.
[0040] Preferably, the core member has a structure of herringbone
woven fabric or plain woven fabric to be formed in a narrow width
tape.
[0041] As the composition thread of the core member, a synthetic
fiber having a higher intension and a higher ductility (a higher
toughness) than the material of the rope body can be used. As the
typical resin material of the core member, a polyester fiber can be
used. As the composition thread of the core member, a polyester
fiber can be used as the typical resin material. The core member
may be a fabric of weaving or knitting, however, it is preferable
that the polyester fiber is woven in a narrow width tape. As the
weaving fabric of the core member, a herringbone woven fabric or
plain woven fabric are available. By applying a substantially
constant load to the core member, the core member can be elongated
and by securing a function to absorb the shock energy due to the
elongation, it is possible to make the shock given to the human
body comparatively small.
[0042] Preferably, the shock absorbing rope comprises safety member
for high altitude work having connecting fittings that are fixed to
the both ends of the rope body and the core member in the
longitudinal direction thereof, respectively.
[0043] The shock absorbing rope of the present invention can be
effectively used as a safety member for a high working site having
connecting fittings that are fixed to the both ends of the rope
body and the core member in the longitudinal direction thereof
respectively. The shock absorbing rope of the present invention can
be used for all manufactures that are required to control the shock
given to the human body. According to a usage example, for example,
the shock absorbing rope according to the present invention can be
widely applied to a climbing rope, a wire rope, a rope for bungee
jump, a seat belt, a rope for a jump sack, and a fastening belt of
a luggage or the like. The effects which the present invention
exerts are considerably great.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0044] FIG. 1 is a pattern diagram of a perspective view showing a
safety rope for working at a high site using a typical shock
absorbing rope according to the present invention with partial cut
(a first embodiment);
[0045] FIG. 2 is a pattern diagram of a partial plan view showing
the rope (the first embodiment);
[0046] FIG. 3 is a pattern diagram of a partial perspective view
showing a state in the middle of elongation of the rope with
partial cut (the first embodiment);
[0047] FIG. 4 is a pattern diagram of a partial plan view showing a
state of elongation of the rope (the first embodiment);
[0048] FIG. 5 is a pattern diagram of a sectional view showing
other structural example of the rope (a second embodiment); and
[0049] FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a conventional shock
absorbing woven webbing.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0050] With reference to the drawings, the preferred embodiments of
the present invention will be described below.
[0051] (First Embodiment)
[0052] In FIG. 1, a reference numeral 10 is a pattern diagram
showing a shock absorbing rope that is used as a safety member for
working at the high working site having connecting fittings 40 that
are fixed to the both ends of the shock absorbing rope in the
longitudinal direction thereof, respectively. According to the
illustrated example, a shock absorbing rope 10 forms a rope body 20
shaped in a flat and long tube and a core member 30 shaped in a
narrow tape arranged inside of the rope body 20 in an eased state
independently and separately from each other.
[0053] The rope body 20 is formed in a tubular hollow weaving
having the core member 30 inserted through it. The both ends of the
rope body 20 and the core member 30 in the longitudinal direction
thereof are wrapped by the adhesive tape and the like to be formed
in a taper while being elongated narrowly. The both ends of the
rope body 20 and the core member 30 in the longitudinal direction
thereof are folded so as to form a loop to attach the connecting
fitting 40 thereto, are inserted in a gap 22 encircled by
respective composition threads that are inclined in right and left
with respect to a longitudinal direction of the rope body 20 with
crossing each other, and are fixed by an appropriate fixing
device.
[0054] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the rope body 20 straddles two
warp threads 21 as the composition thread, and then, the rope body
20 crosses the warp threads 21. 21 every other two so as to crawl
under the next two warp threads 21, 21. Repeating this, respective
warp threads 21 are alternately woven in a substantial S shape and
in a substantial Z shape across the front and back sides of the
rope body 20 in the longitudinal direction thereof. As this warp
thread 21, being not limited particularly, however, a monofilament
or a multifilament made of a polypropylene fiber having a high
intension and a high durability can be used. Alternatively, as the
warp thread 21, a monofilament or a multifilament made of a
polyester fiber or a nylon fiber having a high intension and a high
durability also can be used.
[0055] According to this first embodiment, the rope body 20 is
composed of a solid forging lot in which the threads are inclined
in right and left screws with respect to a longitudinal direction
of the rope body 20 while crossing each other. As a fabric of the
lot, for example, a lot of one thread, a lot of two threads, a lot
of three threads, and a lot of four and more threads or a fabric of
mixture thereof can be used.
[0056] When weaving the rope body 20, it is preferable that the
warp thread 21 constituting the rope body 20 is woven while
applying the tension thereto. When weaving the rope body 20, it is
preferable that the shape of the rope body 20 is formed while being
elongated to the maximum elongated length. Thereby, it is possible
to prevent damage of the configuration of the rope body 20. Then,
the fabric is uniform in quality across its entire periphery and it
is possible to acquire the rope body with excellent measurement
stability. After weaving of the rope body 20, the rope body 20 can
be preferably contracted. Further, the core member 30 can be stored
in the contracted rope body 20 and the operator can easily do the
work because the shock absorbing rope 10 does not tangle with the
operator wearing the shock absorbing rope 10.
[0057] In the shock absorbing rope 10 shown in the drawing, the
warp threads 21 are inclined in a direction substantially
orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the rope body 20 when the
adjacent warp threads 21 directed to the same direction contact
each other as shown in FIG. 2 to be contracted in a first
contacting state. On the other hand, in the shock absorbing rope 10
shown in the drawing, the warp threads 21 are inclined in a
longitudinal direction of the rope body 20 when the adjacent warp
threads 21 directed to the same direction are elongated along the
longitudinal direction of the rope body 20 as shown in FIG. 4 to
contact each other in a second contacting state.
[0058] According to such a weaving structure of this rope body 20,
if the tension is affected on the rope body 20, a lot angle
.theta..sub.2 made by respective warp threads 21 crossing each
other inclined in right and left to the longitudinal direction of
the rope body 20 is changed so as to be smaller than a lot angle
.theta..sub.1 as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4. Thereby, combined with
the lot structure of the rope body 20, it is possible to
sufficiently secure the breaking strength capable of supporting the
maximum load upon the shock.
[0059] As a part of each warp thread 21 of the rope body 20, as
shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of narrow extensible rubbers 23 are
arranged in parallel at predetermined intervals. The both ends of
this extensible rubber 23 in the longitudinal direction thereof are
attached to the ends of the rope body 20 respectively. The
extensible rubbers 23 are arranged in a vertical direction along
the rope body 20 so as to crawl under respective warp threads 21
crossing at an angle to the longitudinal direction of the rope body
20 while being pressed down by the warp threads 21. The extensible
rubber 23 is woven substantially linearly across the longitudinal
direction of the rope body 20 at the same time of weaving of the
rope body 20.
[0060] Due to the extensible elasticity of the extensible rubber
23, the rope body 20 can be freely elongated in the longitudinal
direction thereof, and the rope body 20 can be made in the minimum
contraction state as shown in FIG. 2 due to the extensible
elasticity of the extensible rubber 23. Further, preferable
configuration stability can be given to the rope body. In addition,
the extensible rubber 23 can be also formed so as to absorb the
shock energy by breaking it when absorbing the shock. In addition,
it is also possible to have a damper effect for attenuating the
rope jumping phenomenon. In the meantime, a plurality of extensible
rubbers 23 are arranged in parallel inside of the rope body 20 to
be woven in the warp thread every other two or three while being
hidden by the warp thread. In the extensible rubber 23, the width,
the thickness, the sectional configuration, the arrangement
location, and the number of arrangement or the like can be
appropriately set with respect to the rope body 20.
[0061] In the shock absorbing rope 10 of the present invention, it
is preferable that the length of the rope body 20 in the
contraction state as shown in FIG. 2 is set to be shorter than the
length of the core member 30 when the core member 30 does not ease
up, and it is preferable that the rope body 20 can be elongated
longer than the length of the core member 30 when the core member
30 does not ease up. Combined with change of the configuration of
the rope body 20 caused by relative change of the position of each
warp thread 21 of the rope body 20, it is possible to form the rope
body 20 to be elongatable in the longitudinal direction thereof.
According to the illustrated example, it is possible to form the
rope body 20 so that each warp thread 21 of the rope body 20 is
changed from the configuration in the first contact state shown in
FIG. 2 into the configuration in the second contact state shown in
FIG. 4.
[0062] Further, it is preferable that the length of the core member
30 when it does not ease up is set to be substantially equal to the
length of the rope body 20 when the rope body 20 is elongated in
its longitudinal direction combined with change of configuration
thereof due to displacement of the warp thread 21. According to the
illustrated example, it is possible to set the length of the core
member 30 to be substantially equal to the length of the rope body
20 in the second contact state that the adjacent warp threads 21
directed to the same direction contacting each other as shown in
FIG. 4 from the length when the core member 30 eases up as shown in
FIG. 1. As a result, the rope body 20 and the core member 30 can be
elongated in the same length against the shock force due to falling
to be applied to the rope body 20 and the core member 30 and the
shock load can be supported by both of the rope body 20 and the
core member 30.
[0063] For example, it is preferable that the core member 30 is
woven in a narrow width tape. According to the present embodiment,
the core member 30 can be composed of herringbone woven fabric as a
woven fabric. Alternatively, the woven fabric of the core member 30
may be composed of the plain woven fabric. As the composition
thread of the core member 30, being not limited, however, a
monofilament or a multifilament made of a polypropylene fiber
having a higher intension and a higher durability than the material
of the rope body 20 can be used. Thereby, the core member 30 starts
to be elongated when a certain load is applied thereto. This
elongation makes it possible to secure a function to absorb the
shock energy so as to make the shock applied to the human body
comparatively small.
[0064] According to the shock absorbing rope 10 that has been
formed as described above, it is preferable that a bearable load F1
in the maximum elongation state of the rope body 20 and a bearable
load F2 in the maximum elongation state of the core member 30
satisfy a relation of F1>F2, (F1+F2)>F. However, the
reference symbol F is the maximum load when the shock is applied to
the rope body 20 and the core member 30. As the structure of the
shock absorbing rope 10, being not limited, however, the shock
absorbing load may be about 8.82 KN or less and the breaking
strength may be about 22.246 KN or more. Thereby, it is possible to
sufficiently secure both of the ideal shock absorbing function and
fall preventing function.
[0065] When the tension due to falling is affected on the rope body
20 and the core member 30, the rope body 20 is elongated from the
length in the first contact state shown in FIG. 2 to the length in
the second contact state shown in FIG. 4 by change of the
configuration due to displacement of each warp thread 21. If the
length of the core member 30 arranged in an eased state inside the
rope body 20 is elongated to the length when the core member 30
does not ease up by change of the configuration of the composition
thread of the rope body 20, by applying the tension on the
composition thread constituting the core member 30, the composition
thread of the core member 30 starts to elongate. Subsequently, the
composition thread of the core member 30 starts to elongate.
Combined with start of elongation of the composition thread of the
core member 30, the rope body 20 keeps elongating by change of the
configuration of each warp thread 21. After that, combined with
elongation of each warp thread 21 of the rope body 20 together with
elongation of the composition thread of the core member 30, the
rope body 20 keeps changing of the configuration and
elongating.
[0066] Thus, the shock energy due to falling can be absorbed by
three steps, namely, a step of elongation due to change of the
configuration of each warp thread 21 of the rope body 20, a step of
elongation due to change of the configuration of each warp thread
21 of the rope body 20 and elongation due to elongation of the
composition thread of the core member 30, and a step of elongation
due to elongation of each warp thread 21 of the rope body 20 and
elongation of each composition thread of the core member 30.
Therefore, it is possible to absorb the shock energy due to falling
to be added to the rope body 20 and the core member 30 step by
step, so that the entire falling load due to falling can be
supported by the rope body 20 and the core member 30. In the
meantime, it is obvious that, in a series of the shock absorbing
process, before the step that the composition thread of the core
member 30 is elongated, the step that each warp thread 21 of the
rope body 20 starts to elongate may start.
[0067] Thus, according to the shock absorbing rope 10 of the
present invention, the shock force due to falling to be added to
the rope body 20 and the core member 30 can be alleviated step by
step, so that it is possible to enhance a control operation to
absorb the shock energy due to falling and attenuation efficiency
capable of immediately attenuating the oscillation after the shock
and making it smaller. Thereby, it is possible to secure an ideal
shock absorbing performance to alleviate the shock that is given to
the human body.
[0068] In the meantime, when the worker falls down who wears the
shock absorbing rope 10 while working at the high working site,
generally a contracting force is generated on each warp thread 21
of the rope body 20 and each composition thread of the core member
30 after the rope body 20 and the core member 30 are elongated to
the last elongation position. Due to the reaction force of
contraction, a pulling-up force to pull up the worker is affected
on the worker who falls down.
[0069] According to the shock absorbing rope 10 of the present
invention, by providing above described structures, the pulling-up
force is partially expensed for change of the configuration of the
rope body 20, so that it is possible to make the shock force to the
worker smaller. In addition, even if falling of the worker due to
his or her weight starts after pulling up of the worker due to
contraction of the rope body 20 and the core member 30, it is
possible to absorb the falling energy by elongation of each warp
thread 21 of the rope body 20 and elongation of each composition
thread of the core member 30 in addition to change of the
configuration of the rope body 20. Thereby, it is possible to
immediately attenuate the oscillation due to jumping.
[0070] In addition, if the rope body 20 and the core member 30 are
elongated from the length of the first contact state shown in FIG.
2 to the length of the second contact state shown in FIG. 4 due to
falling of the worker occurred at the high working site, a rope
jumping phenomenon is generated at the maximum stop position.
However, since each warp thread 21 of the rope body 20 is formed
crossing at an angle to the longitudinal direction of the rope body
20, the rope body 20 can be freely contracted in the longitudinal
direction thereof due to change of the configuration. As a result,
the reaction force of the shock absorbing rope 10 can be absorbed
due to change of configuration of the rope body 20, and the
reaction of the shock absorbing rope 10 can be alleviated by a
damper effect due to this change of configuration of the rope body
20, so that the oscillation after absorption of the shock due to
falling can be immediately attenuated so as to be made smaller.
[0071] In the meantime, it is possible that the core member 30 is
made of a member that elongates in its longitudinal direction, but
is not contracted in its length direction. For example, a member
that can change irreversibly is preferable. Thereby, without
generation of the pulling-up force due to contraction of the core
member 30, the pulling-up force can be made smaller.
[0072] In addition, by weaving each warp thread 21 of the rope body
20 crossing at an angle to the longitudinal direction of the rope
body 20, the bondage between respective warp threads 21 is reduced
and the rope body 20 can be freely elongated and contracted in the
longitudinal direction thereof. Therefore, upon absorption of the
shock, damage of the rope body 20 can be reduced. After absorbing
the shock due to falling, the core member 30 can be exchanged by
separating the rope body 20 and the core member 30 from each other.
Thereby, the rope body 20 can be reused as a part of the shock
absorbing rope 10.
[0073] According to the shock absorbing rope 10 of the present
invention, as described above, the rope body 20 and the core member
30 are formed independently and separately. Thereby, on a portion
to affect the shock absorbing energy due to falling, removing a
shock absorbing part such as a part that is sewn by plural threads
and a part that is doubly folded, the shock absorbing rope 10 can
be formed without a particular shock absorbing structure to absorb
the shock by damage at the shock absorbing part. Therefore, the
rope body 20 and the core member 30 can be easily manufactured and
this makes it possible to stably acquire the shock absorbing rope
10 of a high quality and a simple structure.
[0074] (Second Embodiment)
[0075] FIG. 5 a pattern diagram showing other example of the shock
absorbing rope 10 according to the present invention. In the
meantime, the same member names and the same reference numerals are
given to the substantially same members as those in the first
embodiment. Accordingly, the detailed description of these members
will not be repeated here.
[0076] In this drawing, a basic configuration of the shock
absorbing rope 10 is made of a general hollow woven fabric having
two elastic rubbers 23 inserted on the front and rear surfaces of a
long tubular rope body 20. The rope body 20 can be formed as a long
tubular body by horizontally putting a weft thread row 24 into a
warp thread row 21 of a synthetic fiber made of a resin material
such as a polypropylene fiber, a polyester fiber, and a nylon fiber
having a high intension and a high durability.
[0077] The elastic rubber 23 can be woven as a partial warp thread
of the hollow woven part when weaving the rope body 20. The
extensible rubber 23 is arranged so that it straddles one weft
thread 24 and then, crawls under the next weft thread 24 crossing
the weft thread 24 while being pressed down by the weft thread 24.
The extensible rubber 23 is woven on the front and rear surfaces in
the longitudinal direction of the rope body 20 while repeating this
at the same time as weaving of the rope body 20. The elastic rubber
23 is set to be thicker than other weft threads 24.
[0078] In the meantime, the elastic rubber 23 is formed in a solid
core, however, being not limited to this, the elastic rubber 23 may
be formed in a hollow tube. In addition, as the warp thread 21 and
the weft thread 24, the monofilament or the multifilament made of
the synthetic fiber can be used. The rope body 20 is not limited to
the illustrated example. For example, by using the warp thread and
the weft thread, the rope body 20 can be formed from other hollow
woven fabric forming a tubular fabric that is elongatable in the
longitudinal direction. As a hollow weaving method, for example, a
general weaving method to form a tubular fabric that is fastened at
the both edges, for example, by separating the warp thread row into
the front and rear sides and weaving the weft thread while
repeating the weft thread in a spiral is available. The
configuration of the rope body 20 is not particularly limited,
however, for example, the tubular part of the rope body 20 can be
formed in a coil or in a bellows or the like.
[0079] According to the shock absorbing rope 10 of this second
embodiment, as in the first embodiment, in a series of a shock
absorbing process, the shock applied to the rope body 20 and the
core member 30 can be absorbed step by step by three steps, namely,
a step of elongation due to change of the configuration of the
composition thread of the rope body 20, a step of elongation due to
change of the configuration of the composition thread of the rope
body 20 and elongation due to elongation of the composition thread
of the core member 30, and a step of elongation due to elongation
of the composition threads of the rope body 20 of the core member
30, respectively. Thereby, it is possible to enhance a control
operation to absorb the shock energy and attenuation efficiency
capable of attenuating the oscillation after the shock and making
it smaller.
[0080] As being obvious from the above descriptions, according to
the respective embodiments, the rope body 20 of a general hollow
woven fabric that is woven so as to be elongatable in the
longitudinal direction of the rope body 20 and the core member 30
made of a weaving structure such as a herringbone woven fabric in a
narrow width tape or the like are combined. However, the present
invention is not limited to this. It is obvious that the weaving or
knitting of the core member 30 can be selected and combined, for
example, depending on the material and the fabric structure of the
rope body 20, and an object of the present invention can be
sufficiently attained. Accordingly, it is obvious that the present
invention is not limited to the respective embodiments and various
modifications will be possible within the scope mentioned in the
present invention.
[0081] The shock absorbing rope 10 as the object of the present
invention, a safety rope for a high working site is described as an
example, however, the present invention is not limited to this. For
example, all shock absorbing ropes to be applied to various
manufactures such as a climbing rope, a wire rope, a rope for
bungee jump, a seat belt, a rope for a jump sack, and a fastening
belt of a luggage or the like may be targeted.
* * * * *