U.S. patent application number 13/024245 was filed with the patent office on 2011-11-10 for low friction rope guard and edge protector with radius protection and guide rails.
Invention is credited to James E. FAY, John D. LAMB.
Application Number | 20110272654 13/024245 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44901355 |
Filed Date | 2011-11-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110272654 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
FAY; James E. ; et
al. |
November 10, 2011 |
LOW FRICTION ROPE GUARD AND EDGE PROTECTOR WITH RADIUS PROTECTION
AND GUIDE RAILS
Abstract
An edge protector for placement between an edge and a rope
according to embodiments of the present invention includes an inner
surface having a rope guide, the rope guide including a first guide
rail, a second guide rail, and a rope travel path between the first
and second guide rails along which the rope slides in a rope travel
direction, and an outer surface comprising one or more edge
engagement bands, the one or more edge engagement bands oriented
substantially perpendicularly to the rope travel direction and
configured to engage the edge to deter slippage of the edge
protector with respect to the edge.
Inventors: |
FAY; James E.; (Boulder,
CO) ; LAMB; John D.; (Rock Island, IL) |
Family ID: |
44901355 |
Appl. No.: |
13/024245 |
Filed: |
February 9, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61302944 |
Feb 9, 2010 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
254/389 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65H 2701/35 20130101;
B65H 57/04 20130101; B65H 2404/531 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
254/389 |
International
Class: |
B65H 57/04 20060101
B65H057/04 |
Claims
1. An edge protector for placement between an edge and a rope, the
edge protector comprising: an inner surface comprising a rope
guide, the rope guide comprising a first guide rail, a second guide
rail, and a rope travel path between the first and second guide
rails along which the rope slides in a rope travel direction; and
an outer surface comprising one or more edge engagement bands, the
one or more edge engagement bands oriented substantially
perpendicularly to the rope travel direction and configured to
engage the edge to deter slippage of the edge protector with
respect to the edge.
2. The edge protector of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the
rope guide is formed with polytetrafluoroethylene-impregnated and
coated fiberglass material.
3. The edge protector of claim 1, wherein the rope guide comprises
a polytetrafluoroethylene material.
4. The edge protector of claim 1, wherein the one or more edge
engagement bands is at least two edge engagement bands.
5. The edge protector of claim 4, wherein the at least two
engagement bands is at least four edge engagement bands.
6. The edge protector of claim 5, wherein the at least four edge
engagement bands is at least six edge engagement bands.
7. The edge protector of claim 1, further comprising a flap
configured to releasably secure over the rope guide.
8. The edge protector of claim 7, wherein the flap comprises one of
a hook material and a loop material, wherein the inner surface
comprises the other of the hook material and the loop material, and
wherein the flap releasably secures over the rope guide by
attachment of the hook material to the loop material.
9. The edge protector of claim 1, further comprising an attachment
loop.
10. The edge protector of claim 9, wherein the attachment loop is a
first attachment loop coupled to a first side of the edge protector
between the first and second guide rails.
11. The edge protector of claim 10, further comprising a second
attachment loop coupled to a second side of the edge protector,
opposite the first side, between the first and second guide rails.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 61/302,944, filed on Feb. 9, 2010,
which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all
purposes.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to
rope protection, and more specifically to systems and methods for
protecting a rope as it slides over an edge.
BACKGROUND
[0003] When rope is rigged so that it runs over an edge, severe
stress is put on the rope that can cause the rope to fail. Current
solutions involve using a simple edge protector, which is usually
made of canvas or coated nylon and is rectangular in shape. Such
simple edge protectors are wrapped over the rope, secured back on
themselves with Velcro.RTM. and then placed on the edge over which
the rope runs.
[0004] Edge protectors made of nylon or coated nylon are typically
suitable for use only in static situations in which the rope does
not slide over the surface of the edge protector. If rope slides
over a surface made of a thermoplastic material, so much heat
friction is often generated that it melts both the edge protector
and the rope.
[0005] Edge protectors made of canvas are typically used in
situations in which the rope slides over the surface of the edge
protector. Canvas does not melt. However, this still presents a
problem because thermoplastic rope sliding over canvas typically
generates enough heat to melt the rope.
[0006] There are many rescue situations that call for a rope going
over an edge, and then for the rope to be pulled back up over the
edge with a victim and/or object. High friction edge protectors
generate so much friction against the rope that it is very
difficult to pull the load back up. In order to pull the rope back
up, complex pulley systems are typically needed. Even then, this
puts immense stress on the rope and causes the rescuers to work
more slowly.
[0007] There are many rescue situations that call for a rope going
over an edge, and then for the rope to continue to slide over the
edge while the victim and/or object is being lowered to the ground.
When the edge protector has high friction against the rope, it is
possible for descent to be hindered to the point that the victim
and/or object can become stuck in mid-descent.
[0008] When a rope runs over an edge with a small radius, it puts
large stresses on the rope that can cause the rope to fail. Edge
protectors are typically a single or double layer of fabric. When
laid over an edge, they do little to increase the radius that the
rope must run over. Such simple edge protectors are often doubled
up and/or a coat is placed under the edge protector to increase the
radius over which the rope runs. These approaches require extra
time and are typically not stable or reliable.
[0009] If a rope slips off or out of its edge protector during a
rescue and makes direct contact with a sharp or rough edge, it can
cause the rope to fail. Most makeshift edge protectors make no
attempt to restrain the rope and keep it within the dimensions of
the edge protector. Some existing commercial edge protectors wrap
around the rope and connect back to themselves with Velcro.RTM. as
the sole mechanism for edge protection. If an edge protector slips
over the edge, either up or down, it may still be on the rope, but
it no longer protects the rope against the edge. This can cause a
rope to fail.
SUMMARY
[0010] Embodiments of the present invention provide a low
coefficient of friction against the rope so that heat is not
generated as the rope slides over the edge protector which can
damage the rope. The edge protector uses a low coefficient of
friction material as the layer that contacts the rope, according to
embodiments of the present invention. Specifically, it may use a
Teflon.RTM. impregnated fiberglass and/or other similar material
with a low coefficient of friction as the layer that contacts the
rope, according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0011] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the
edge protector has a pair of internal guide rails that run parallel
to the rope and keep the rope in place inside the edge protector,
as a way to guide the rope inside the edge protector so that the
rope does not slip outside the edge protector.
[0012] According to some embodiments of the present invention,
because the edge protector uses internal guide rails to secure and
channel the path of the rope inside the edge protector, the closing
of the edge protector is accomplished by means of a simple
"sandwich" flap that is quick and easy, and presents a faster and
easier way to close and secure the edge protector around the
rope.
[0013] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the
edge protector has a plurality of bands on the side that contacts
the edge. The sharp edge fits between the bands and the bands keep
the edge protector from slipping up or down, so that it protects
the rope during the entire duration of the rescue, according to
embodiments of the present invention. A secondary means may be used
to secure the position of the edge protector, such as a rope or
strap attached to the edge protector.
[0014] According to embodiments of the present invention, the edge
protector includes a plurality of raised bands on the side that
contacts the sharp edge, which serve to increase the radius of the
rope path and reduce stress on the rope so that the rope is not
damaged.
[0015] While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other
embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those
skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which
shows and describes illustrative embodiments of the invention.
Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be
regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates an inside plan view of an edge protector
in an open configuration, according to embodiments of the present
invention.
[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom plan view of the edge protector
of FIG. 1 in the open configuration, according to embodiments of
the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 3 illustrates a bottom plan view of the edge protector
of FIGS. 1 and 2 in a closed configuration, according to
embodiments of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 4 illustrates a top and side inside perspective view of
the edge protector of FIGS. 1-3 in the open configuration,
according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0020] While the invention is amenable to various modifications and
alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of
example in the drawings and are described in detail below. The
intention, however, is not to limit the invention to the particular
embodiments described. On the contrary, the invention is intended
to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling
within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended
claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates an edge protector 100 for placement
between an edge and a rope 102, according to embodiments of the
present invention. Edge protector 100 includes an inner surface 106
which includes a rope guide 104, according to embodiments of the
present invention. The rope guide 104 includes guide rails 108 with
a rope travel path 103 between the guide rails 108 along which the
rope 102 slides in a rope travel direction 130, according to
embodiments of the present invention. According to embodiments of
the present invention, the rope guide 104 is formed with material
that has a low coefficient of friction against rope 102, for
example, Teflon.RTM.-impregnated and coated fiberglass material.
Each guide rail 108 may be formed by forming a pleat, loop, tube,
and/or fold in the rope guide 104 material substantially along the
rope travel direction 130, and then stitching the material loop at
its base 110 (e.g. either back onto itself and/or to an underlying
layer of the device 100), according to embodiments of the present
invention. Once the loop for the guide rail 108 has been formed,
its ends may be stitched flat at or near end borders 112, according
to embodiments of the present invention.
[0022] During formation of the guide rails 108, various materials
may be inserted within the tube and/or loop before the base 110 is
stitched, so as to stiffen and/or reinforce the guide rails 108,
according to embodiments of the present invention. For example,
rope, pieces of rope, foam, filler material, plastic rods, and/or a
combination of such materials may be inserted within the fold
and/or tube for stiffening and/or reinforcement, according to
embodiments of the present invention. According to embodiments of
the present invention, the layer of the inner surface 106 just
below the rope guide 104 is a rubber-coated Nylon layer, such as,
for example, Hypalon.RTM. coated Nylon. In some cases, the
rubber-coated Nylon layer or other underlying layer may be folded
and/or looped along with the rope guide 104 material to form the
guide rails 108, according to embodiments of the present
invention.
[0023] Anchor attachment loops 114 may be stitched and/or otherwise
attached to the edge protector 100 to permit the edge protector 100
to be anchored and/or tied off (e.g. with a runner cord of the
like) to further prevent slippage of the edge protector 100 with
respect to the edge as the rope 102 travels along the rope travel
path 103, according to embodiments of the present invention. For
example, a runner cord could be tied through one of the anchor
attachment loops 114 and then tied to an object that is fixed with
respect to the edge over which the edge protector 100 is placed.
Alternatively, two different runner cords could each be attached to
anchor attachment loops 114, one at each end of the rope travel
path 103, to minimize slippage for rope 102 travel in both
directions. The one or more anchor attachment loops 114 may be
attached to the device 100 at or near the ends of the rope travel
path 103, without interfering with the rope travel path 103,
according to embodiments of the present invention, for better
stabilization of the device 100 along the rope travel path 103.
Although anchor attachment loops 114 are described, one of ordinary
skill in the art, based on the present disclosure, will appreciate
that various other anchoring mechanisms may be included with device
100 to tie down and/or minimize large-scale slippage of the edge
protector 100 with respect to the rope, and/or deter the entire
device 100 from sliding past the edge and down the rope 102,
according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0024] Edge alignment indicators 116 may be included on the device
100 to visually indicate a possible or optimal placement of the
edge protector 100 with respect to the edge. For example, the edge
alignment indicators 116 may be tabs and/or flags and/or loops
and/or the like attached at a position along the rope travel path
103 indicating where, underneath the rope guide 104, edge
engagement bands 204 are located, according to embodiments of the
present invention. Because the edge protector 100 would normally be
laid over the edge with the inside 106 facing away from the edge,
including a visual indicator 116 on the inside 106 and/or on the
device 100 visible from any angle and/or whether the device 100 is
in an open or closed configuration permits the user to position the
device 100 properly 100 with respect to the edge without actually
looking at the bottom of the device. This can save time in an
emergency, for example.
[0025] Although embodiments of the present invention are described
as having components attached via stitching and/or sewing, one of
ordinary skill in the art, based on the disclosure provided herein,
will appreciate that the various components may be formed and/or
coupled to one another via a combination of one or more of
stitching, sewing, adhesive, welding, pressure fit, clamps, pins,
rivets, and staples.
[0026] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the bottom of the edge protector
100 includes an outer or bottom surface 202, which includes one or
more edge engagement bands 204, according to embodiments of the
present invention. The one or more edge engagement bands 204 are
oriented substantially perpendicularly to the rope travel direction
130 and are configured to engage the edge to deter slippage of the
edge protector 100 with respect to the edge, according to
embodiments of the present invention. For example, if the edge
protector 100 is laid over an edge such that the edge falls between
two of the edge engagement bands 204, the curvature and/or bending
and/or folding of the edge protector 100, as well as the thickness
of the edge engagement bands 204, increases the radius of bending
of the rope, thereby minimizing the risk that the rope will be
damaged, frayed, and/or broken by the friction and/or abrasion of
the edge. Further, the rope guide 104 helps to maintain the rope
102 traveling along a certain rope travel path 103 over and
perpendicularly to the edge engagement bands 204, according to
embodiments of the present invention.
[0027] The edge engagement bands 204 maybe formed similarly to the
guide rails 108, according to embodiments of the present invention.
For example, the bottom surface 202 layer may be folded, looped,
and/or formed into a tube, and then sewn back onto itself and/or to
an underlying layer at base 206, according to embodiments of the
present invention. Similarly, pieces of rope and/or other fillers
or stabilizers may be included within the edge engagement bands 204
to increase their stiffness and/or stability, and/or to increase
their thickness (for increasing the radius of bending/curvature of
the rope 102). The ends of such folds or tubes may be stitched flat
at ends 208, according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0028] Although FIG. 2 illustrates six edge engagement bands 204,
with the edge alignment indicators 116 indicating an edge alignment
between the two inner most edge engagement bands 204, fewer or more
edge engagement bands 204 may be used. According to some
embodiments of the present invention, the edge protector 100
includes two edge engagement bands 204; according to other
embodiments of the present invention, the edge protector 100
includes four edge engagement bands 204. According to another
embodiment of the present invention, the edge protector 100
includes a single edge engagement band 204 configured for placement
adjacent the edge. The greater the number of edge engagement bands
204 included, the less precise a user need be with placing the edge
protector 100, and/or the more options the user has for deciding
which two edge engagement bands 204 to place the edge between,
according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0029] According to embodiments of the present invention, the edge
engagement bands 204 and/or the bottom layer 202 are formed of a
layer of rubber-coated Nylon, such as, for example, Hypalon.RTM.
coated Nylon. According to embodiments of the present invention,
the outer layer 202 may be the same layer as the inner layer 106;
according to other embodiments of the present invention, the outer
layer 202 and inner layer 106 may be separated by one or more
intervening layers of the same or different materials.
[0030] An extension of the inner layer 106 and/or outer layer 202
may be included in the form of a flap 120, according to embodiments
of the present invention. The flap 120 may be folded over, such as
at seam 122, onto and/or over the rope guide 104 to further retain
the rope 102 within the rope guide 104, according to embodiments of
the present invention. A strip of a hook material 118 and a loop
material 119 (e.g. a Velcro.RTM. combination) or vice versa may be
placed onto the inner surface 106 and the flap 120 to permit
removable closure of the edge protector 100, according to
embodiments of the present invention. Other removable closure
elements may be used, according to embodiments of the present
invention.
[0031] An edge-edge protector for rope 102 containing a surface 104
that contacts the rope 102 that has a low coefficient of friction
against rope may be used. Teflon.RTM. impregnated and coated
fiberglass may be used for rope guide 104, but other materials may
be used, including but not limited to silicon coated fiberglass,
silicon coated canvas, sacrificial polyethylene coated fiberglass
or canvas, and/or high melt-temperature plastics such as
polysulfone. Teflon.RTM. material may also be referred to as
polytetrafluoroethylene (or "PTFE") material.
[0032] An edge-protector 100 for rope 102 includes internal guide
rails 108 running substantially parallel to the path 103 of the
rope 102 to keep the rope 102 in place inside the edge-protector,
according to embodiments of the present invention. The guide rails
108 may be curved or even conical, such that they guide and contain
the rope 102 inside the edge protector 100, according to
embodiments of the present invention. According to embodiments of
the present invention, the guide rails 108 are separated by a
distance that is at least equal to the diameter of the rope 102
used and not more than ten times the diameter of the rope 102 used.
According to other embodiments of the present invention, the guide
rails 108 are separated by a distance that is two to five times the
diameter of the rope 102 used. According to yet other embodiments
of the present invention, the guide rails 108 are separated by a
distance that is two and a half to three times the diameter of the
rope 102 used.
[0033] According to embodiments of the present invention, the width
of the guide rails is determined by three factors: a) the diameter
of rope 102 used, b) the number of ropes 102 the edge protector 100
contains during use, and c) minimizing size and weight. A second
consideration may be the height of the guide rails 108 inside the
edge protector 100. According to some embodiments of the present
invention, the height of the guide rails 108 is a fourth to two and
a half times the diameter of the rope 102; according to other
embodiments of the present invention, the height of the guide rails
108 is a half to two times the diameter of the rope 102; and
according to yet other embodiments of the present invention, the
height of the guide rails 108 is three-fourths to one and a half
times the diameter of the rope 102. The height of the guide rails
is sufficient to contain the rope 102 and prevent the rope from
rubbing against the inner surface (of the flap 120) of the edge
protector 100, which increases friction, according to embodiments
of the present invention.
[0034] An edge protector 100 with bands 204 on the outer surface
202 contacts the sharp edge that runs substantially perpendicular
to the path 103 of the rope 102 inside the edge protector 100,
according to embodiments of the present invention. These bands 204
serve to keep the edge protector 100 from slipping when the rope
102 is loaded and pulled either up or down, according to
embodiments of the present invention. According to some embodiments
of the present invention, these bands 204 are at least one
millimeter in height; according to other embodiments of the present
invention, these bands 204 are at least three millimeters in
height; and according to yet other embodiments of the present
invention, these bands 204 are at least five millimeters in
height.
[0035] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the
bands 204 are placed one to twenty-five millimeters apart;
according to other embodiments of the present invention, the bands
204 are placed five to fifteen millimeters apart; and according to
yet other embodiments of the present invention, the bands 204 are
placed seven to thirteen millimeters apart.
[0036] According to some embodiments of the present invention,
bands 204 serve to increase the radius of the rope path 103 over
the edge and reduce stress on the rope 102. According to some
embodiments of the present invention, such perpendicular bands 204
are at least one fourth the diameter of the rope 102; according to
other embodiments of the present invention, such perpendicular
bands 204 are at least one half the diameter of the rope 102; and
according to yet other embodiments of the present invention, such
perpendicular bands 204 are at least equal to the diameter of the
rope 102. According to some embodiments of the present invention,
the horizontal bands 204 are placed apart a distance equal to one
fourth to five times the diameter of the rope 102; according to
other embodiments of the present invention, the horizontal bands
204 are placed apart a distance equal to one half to three times
the diameter of the rope 102; and according to yet other
embodiments of the present invention, the horizontal bands are
placed apart a distance equal to one and a half to two and a half
times the diameter of the rope 102.
[0037] Various modifications and additions can be made to the
exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of
the present invention. For example, while the embodiments described
above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention
also includes embodiments having different combinations of features
and embodiments that do not include all of the described features.
Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to
embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as
fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents
thereof.
* * * * *