U.S. patent application number 14/219801 was filed with the patent office on 2015-09-24 for chafe protected rope and protective cover therefore.
This patent application is currently assigned to Charles D. Farmer. The applicant listed for this patent is Charles D. Farmer. Invention is credited to Charles D. Farmer.
Application Number | 20150267347 14/219801 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54141560 |
Filed Date | 2015-09-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150267347 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Farmer; Charles D. |
September 24, 2015 |
CHAFE PROTECTED ROPE AND PROTECTIVE COVER THEREFORE
Abstract
A protective cover for rope and an assembly of the protective
cover installed on a rope. The protective cover has a fabric sleeve
with a first sleeve end and a second sleeve end. One or more
tethers are attached to and extend from proximate at least one of
the sleeve ends. The one or more tethers provide resistance to
motion of the sleeve relative to an underlying rope because the one
or more tethers are interlaced with the strands of the rope. The
one or more tethers are interlaced along a sufficient length of
rope, with a sufficient number of tucks that the strands of the
rope, under tension, will clamp upon the one or more tethers. The
friction between the one or more tethers and the strands prevent
movement of the cover or the tethers relative to the rope.
Inventors: |
Farmer; Charles D.;
(Beckley, WV) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Farmer; Charles D. |
Beckley |
WV |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Farmer; Charles D.
Beckley
WV
|
Family ID: |
54141560 |
Appl. No.: |
14/219801 |
Filed: |
March 19, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
87/7 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D07B 2201/20907
20150701; D07B 2401/205 20130101; B66C 1/122 20130101; D07B
2205/2046 20130101; D07B 2201/2083 20130101; D07B 2205/2014
20130101; D07B 2201/20903 20150701; D07B 2205/2014 20130101; D07B
2205/205 20130101; D07B 2205/2046 20130101; D07B 2205/205 20130101;
D07B 2801/22 20130101; D07B 2801/22 20130101; D07B 2801/22
20130101 |
International
Class: |
D07B 1/14 20060101
D07B001/14 |
Claims
1. A protective cover for a rope, comprising: a) a fabric sleeve
having a first sleeve end and a second sleeve end; and b) one or
more tethers attached proximate to and extending from at least one
of the sleeve ends, the one or more tethers of such length, of such
number, and so configured as to interlace with the rope for
collectively maintaining a position of the cover along the rope
when the rope is under tension.
2. The protective cover according to claim 1, wherein the cover
further comprises: at least one of the one or more tethers attached
to the sleeve proximate to each of the sleeve ends.
3. The protective cover according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve is
separable along at least a portion of the length thereof.
4. The protective cover according to claim 1, further comprising; a
partial fabric loop having a first loop end and a second loop end,
each loop end attached to the sleeve proximate to the first sleeve
end.
5. The protective cover according to claim 4, wherein the loop is
separable along the length of the loop.
6. The protective cover according to claim 4, wherein at least one
of the one or more tethers is attached to the sleeve proximate to
the first sleeve end.
7. The protective cover according to claim 4, wherein one or more
tethers is also attached to the loop proximate to each of the loop
ends and configured to extend toward the sleeve for being
interlaced with a portion of the rope encircled by the sleeve.
8. The protective cover according to claim 4, wherein the cover
further comprises a second partial loop attached to the second
sleeve end.
9. The protective cover according to claim 1, wherein each of the
one or more tethers is at least one full fid in length, where the
rope diameter is determined at the thinnest portion thereof.
10. The protective cover according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve
comprises an abrasion resistant fabric selected from the group
consisting of high molecular weight polyethylene, high molecular
weight aramid, nylon, or ballistic nylon.
11. The protective cover according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve
is tapered, wherein a diameter of the sleeve at the first sleeve
end is different than a diameter of the sleeve in a direction
toward the second sleeve end.
12. The protective cover according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve
is the shape of a partial loop configured for protecting an eye
portion formed at the end of the rope.
13. A rope assembly for lifting, hauling, winching, towing, or
rigging heavy loads under harsh conditions, the assembly
comprising: a rope comprising a plurality of braided, twisted, or
linked components; and a protective cover encircling at least a
portion of the rope, the cover comprising: a) a fabric sleeve
having a first sleeve end and a second sleeve end; and b) one or
more tethers attached to and extending from proximate at least one
of the sleeve ends, the one or more tethers interlaced with the
components of the rope to collectively maintain the position of the
cover along the rope when the rope is under tension.
14. The assembly according to claim 13, wherein the cover further
comprises: at least one of the one or more tethers attached to the
sleeve proximate to each of the sleeve ends and interlaced with the
components of the rope.
15. The assembly according to claim 13, wherein the sleeve is
separable along at least a portion of the length thereof.
16. The assembly according to claim 13, wherein the rope further
comprises: an eye formed by at least one end of the rope, resulting
in the rope having an eye portion, a splice portion and a tail
portion; and wherein the cover further comprises: a partial fabric
loop having a first loop end and a second loop end, each loop end
attached to the sleeve proximate to the first sleeve end, the loop
at least partially closed around the eye portion of the rope.
17. The assembly according to claim 16, wherein the loop is
separable along the length of the loop to allow removal of the eye
portion.
18. The assembly according to claim 16, wherein at least one of the
one or more tethers is attached to the sleeve at a connection point
proximate to the first sleeve end, said at least one tether extends
from the connection point, through the eye portion of the rope and
is interlaced along the splice portion of the rope in a direction
toward the second sleeve end.
19. The assembly according to claim 16, wherein one or more tethers
is also attached to the loop proximate to each of the loop ends,
said tethers attached proximate to the loop ends extending into the
sleeve and being interlaced with the splice portion of the rope,
the splice portion being encircled by the sleeve.
20. The assembly according to claim 16, wherein the sleeve at least
partially surrounds the splice portion and the tail portion of the
rope, the diameter of the sleeve being tapered to conform with the
rope.
21. The assembly according to claim 13, wherein the rope further
comprises: an eye formed at each end thereof; and the protective
cover comprises a pair of protective covers, each cover comprising:
a) a sleeve having a first sleeve end and a second sleeve end; b) a
partial loop having a first loop end and a second loop end, each
loop end attached to the sleeve proximate to the first sleeve end,
the loop at least partially closed around a respective eye of the
rope; and c) the one or more tethers comprising: i) at least one
first tether attached to the sleeve at a first connection point
proximate to the first sleeve end, the at least one first tether
extending from the connection point, through the respective eye of
the rope and being interlaced along the rope in a direction toward
the second sleeve end; ii) at least one second sleeve tether
attached to the sleeve proximate to the second sleeve end and
interlaced with the rope in a direction away from the first sleeve
end; and iii) at least one third tether attached to the loop
proximate to each of the loop ends, the third tethers extending
into the sleeve and being interlaced with a portion of the rope
encircled by the sleeve.
22. The assembly according to claim 21, wherein the second sleeve
ends of each protective cover abuts or overlaps one another.
23. The assembly according to claim 22, wherein the at least one
second tether of each protective cover extending into the sleeve of
the other protective cover.
24. The assembly according to claim 13, wherein the rope further
comprises: an eye formed by each end of the rope, resulting in the
rope having a pair of eye portions, a pair of splice portions and a
tail portion between the splice portions; and wherein the cover
further comprises: a pair of partial loops, each partial loop
having a first loop end and a second loop end, each partial loop
attached to a respective sleeve end and at least partially closed
around a respective eye portion of the rope; and at least one of
the one or more tethers attached to the sleeve at a connection
point proximate to each sleeve end, each at least one tether
extending from the respective connection point, through the
respective eye portion of the rope and being interlaced along the
respective splice portion of the rope in a direction toward an
opposite sleeve end.
25. The assembly according to claim 13, wherein each tether is
interlaced with the rope based on the ratio: under two strands:over
one strand.
26. The assembly according to claim 13, wherein the components are
formed from a synthetic material selected from the group consisting
of high molecular weight polyethylene, aramid, nylon, or ballistic
nylon.
27. The assembly according to claim 13, wherein the elongated
sleeve is shaped as a partial loop for protection of an eye portion
formed at the end of the rope.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] This disclosure is directed to the field of chafe and cut
protection of component materials such as rope. Particularly, this
disclosure is concerned with protecting rope used under harsh
conditions and heavy load. Example uses include winching, hoisting
and lifting in industries such as mining, on and off-shore oil and
gas applications, marine, construction, and other rigging
applications subjecting the component materials to possible
abrasion.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Over the years, industry has required hauling, lifting,
towing, and pulling of larger, heavier, more complex machinery,
parts, vehicles and equipment. These tasks may occur in mining,
logging, shipping, transportation, construction, and others. Each
of these tasks often requires use of materials capable of
withstanding tens if not hundreds of tons. Rope capable of such
high strength requires increased amounts of material to produce
higher diameter rope. These high strength ropes also include more
and more advanced high strength materials. This combination can
result in the cost of rope becoming a very significant line item in
the cost of a job. Because of the increasing costs of rope,
maintaining the rope in working condition of as long as possible is
desired.
[0003] As the loads increase in weight and complexity, so do the
safety concerns for those workers tasked with moving the load. Even
though ropes are labeled with a safe working load limit that
incorporates a safety factor of 5.times., the rated capacity may
still be exceeded by those in the field. If a loaded rope gives
way, serious injury can occur when the load is released, or as a
result of recoil in the rope. Therefore maintaining the condition
of the rope is also important to maintain safety.
[0004] Many commercial and industrial applications can cause
abrasion of exposed rope as the rope is dragged along a rough
surface. Abrasion can also occur as rope is rubbed back and forth
over a surface, such as boat hardware while the boat shifts with
the tide, waves, and changing ballast. Abrasion can also occur as a
rope is forced around a sharp corner of a load or other
surface.
[0005] One example application is shown in FIG. 1. An oilfield
truck 1 is equipped with a winch 3, and a winching line 5. The
winching line 5 has an eye 6 at one end for attachment to the load.
The winch 3 would wind up the line 5, pulling the load and the eye
6 closer to the winch 3. In order to protect against abrasion, the
line 5 is shown with conventional chafe gear 8 that surrounds
portions of the line 5. The chafe gear 8 is, in reality, one or
more separate fabric tubes that wrap around the line 5 and often
are secured in a closed configuration using hook and loop fasteners
along the full length of the chafe gear 8. An example of such chafe
gear 8 is described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,502,069 assigned to Advanced
Composite Structures, LLC. The chafe gear 8 is designed to be
easily and completely removed from the line 5 by opening the hook
and loop fasteners. The chafe gear 8 is also designed to be
repositionable relative to the line 5 by sliding the chafe gear 8
along the line 5, positioning the gear 8 next to a point of contact
between the rope and the load or surface.
SUMMARY
[0006] The inventor has discovered problems with using the chafe
gear of the prior art in the field. During many uses, the fact that
the prior art chafe gear can slide along the rope can be a
disadvantage. In the winching example above, the winch will
continue to pull the line over the bed of the truck. If portions of
the loaded rope are rubbing along the rear corner of the truck bed
or other corners or edges, the conventional protective chafe gear
has a tendency to collapse toward the eye or hook end of the line,
creating bunching. If this occurs, an exposed location of the rope
may be subject to abrasion against the corner of the bed. In other
situations, the edge of the bed or the winch may snag on the end of
the chafe gear. The result is often the bunching and shorting of
the conventional chafe gear as the end of the chafe gear is forced
toward the eye, increasing the diameter of the material being wound
onto the winch. The bunched up portion of the conventional chafe
gear can lead to exceeding the capacity of the winch and the
inability to pull a load closer to the winch.
[0007] The inventor has developed an improved protective cover for
use with ropes, cables, chains, etc. The protective cover improves
upon the drawbacks of the prior art by providing features that
allow the cover to be immovably attached to the rope, providing
significant resistance to motion relative to the rope when compared
to the prior art. Particularly, the protective cover of the present
invention is characterized by a sleeve of abrasion resistant fabric
that is provided with one or more tethers attached to the sleeve
near at least one end of the sleeve. The tether provides resistance
to movement of the sleeve relative to the protected rope, by being
interlaced with the strands of the rope. The one or more tethers
are interlaced along a sufficient length of the rope with a
sufficient number of stitches such that tensioned strands of the
rope will clamp upon the tether(s) and the friction between the
tether(s) and the strands will substantially prevent movement of
the cover, or the tether(s), relative to the rope.
[0008] This disclosure describes several related embodiments of
protective covers that rely upon the interlaced tether concept.
This disclosure also describes assemblies where the protective
covers are specifically combined with respective ropes.
[0009] These and other aspects of the present invention will become
apparent to those skilled in the art after a reading of the
following description of the preferred embodiments, when considered
in conjunction with the drawings. It should be understood that both
the foregoing general description and the following detailed
description are explanatory only and are not restrictive of the
invention as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 shows a typical oilfield winching application using a
rope protected by conventional chafe gear.
[0011] FIG. 2 shows a protective cover according to a first
embodiment of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 3 shows an enlarged view of one end of the cover of
FIG. 2.
[0013] FIG. 4 shows a protective cover according to a second
embodiment of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 5 shows a close-up view of a protective cover according
to a third embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 6 shows a close-up view of the protective cover of FIG.
5 partially assembled with a rope.
[0016] FIG. 7 shows the protective cover of FIG. 5 fully assembled
with a rope.
[0017] FIG. 8 shows a pair of back-to-back protective covers of
FIG. 5 partially assembled with another rope.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] Exemplary embodiments of this disclosure are described below
and illustrated in the accompanying figures, in which like numerals
refer to like parts throughout the several views. The embodiments
described provide examples and should not be interpreted as
limiting the scope of the invention. Other embodiments, and
modifications and improvements of the described embodiments, will
occur to those skilled in the art and all such other embodiments,
modifications and improvements are within the scope of the present
invention. Features from one embodiment or aspect may be combined
with features from any other embodiment or aspect in any
appropriate combination.
[0019] The present disclosure is directed to protective covers for
rope with one or more tethers capable of being interlaced with the
rope to substantially prevent motion of the cover. The present
disclosure is also directed to assemblies: including the
combination of a rope and the protective cover. Throughout this
description, the cover may be described with respect to a rope for
clarity. These descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of
this disclosure or respective embodiments to assemblies alone.
[0020] The term "rope" is used throughout this specification to
describe any applicable material to be protected. The term "rope"
should be understood to include each of several synonyms, where
applicable, including but not limited to: line, wire, chain, cord,
cable, and cordage. The term `rope" as used herein preferably
describes a composition of a plurality of intertwined, twisted or
braided strands. The strands may be synthetic, natural fibers, or
metal. A chain with interconnected links is also within this
definition of rope.
[0021] Rope of any size and material should be considered within
the scope of this disclosure. Exemplary embodiments of the present
disclosure include synthetic rope such as rope made from high
performance fibers or filaments, including but not limited to high
molecular weight polyethylene (HMPE), high molecular weight aramids
or high molecular weight nylon, and the like.
[0022] Again, the protective covers of this disclosure include
tethers to be interlaced with the protected rope. As used herein,
the term "interlaced" means the tying of the tether into and
between the braids or links of the rope, and also includes, at
least, intertwined, interwoven, braided, knit, knotted and
stitched.
[0023] The protective covers described herein are primarily
concerned with protecting relatively expensive synthetic rope from
chafing, abrasion or cutting damage. Therefore the protective
covers may be at least partially formed from fabrics and preferably
abrasion resistant fabrics. As used herein, "abrasion resistant
fabrics" are woven, non-woven, or knit fabrics made from high
strength yarns that have tensile moduli equal to or greater than
150 grams/denier and a tenacity equal to or greater than 20
grams/denier. Examples of high strength yarns include long chain
polyethylene (such as SPECTRA.RTM. or DYNEEMA.RTM., also called
high molecular weight polyethylene), aramids such as KEVLAR.RTM.,
and ballistic nylon such as products sold by CORDURA.RTM.. Many of
these abrasion resistant fabrics are also known to themselves
provide, or be treated to provide, other protective benefits such
as protection from oil, grease, water, harsh chemicals, etc.
[0024] The goal of the tethered protective covers is to
substantially fix the cover in place and prevent undesirable
movement of the cover or the tether relative to a tensioned rope.
Further, absolute prevention of motion is not necessary. De minimis
shifting may be present due to slack where the tether attaches to
the cover, or slack intentionally built into the cover to
compensate for known elongation of the rope when the rope is placed
under tension.
[0025] Turning now to the figures, FIG. 2 shows a first aspect of
protective cover 100 for use in covering and protecting a rope from
chafe, abrasion and/or cutting. The cover 100 has a body formed as
a tubular sleeve 102 configured to encircle at least a portion of a
rope when in use. The tubular sleeve 102 extends between a first
sleeve end 104 and a second sleeve end 106. FIG. 3 shows an
enlarged view of the first sleeve end 104 of the first cover 100.
One or more portions along the length (including the full length)
of the sleeve 102 may be able to open or separate with the use of
fasteners, such as the preferred hook and loop fasteners 108. While
hook and loop fasteners 108 are preferred, other types such as
heavy duty zippers or snaps may also be possible.
[0026] Several types of hook and loop type fasteners 108 are known,
which provide varying degrees of holding force. The specific
variety of hook and loop fastener 108 used with the sleeve 102 will
depend upon the intended use of the protective cover 100. For
example a traditional hook and loop fastener 108 may be preferred
when the first covers 100 will be used at or below the safe working
load limit or when the first covers 100 will be opened and closed
regularly for replacement or rope inspection. Heavy duty or limited
action type hook and loop fasteners 108 may be preferred when the
rope will be used over a large range of working loads. This heavy
duty type may also be preferred when removal or opening of the
first covers 100 is unlikely or infrequent.
[0027] In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3, a body
portion of the sleeve 102 adjacent each sleeve end 104, 106 is
provided with a hook and loop fastener 108. This arrangement
provides a selectively closable head opening 116 at the first
sleeve end 104 and a selectively closable tail opening 118 (see
FIG. 8) at the second sleeve end 106. The region of the sleeve 102
between the head opening 116 and the tail opening 118 is
permanently held as a tube, either integrally, such as by circular
knitting, or with a sewn or glued seam.
[0028] In the embodiment illustrated by FIG. 2, the sleeve 102 is
tapered adjacent to the first sleeve end 104. In other words, the
diameter of the sleeve 102 decreases in a direction extending from
the first sleeve end 104 toward the second sleeve end 106. The
tapered diameter is useful when the first cover 100 surrounds all
or part of a splice formed in the rope. In other embodiments the
sleeve 102 may not cover a splice, in which case the diameter of
the sleeve 102 may be substantially constant. In yet another
embodiment, the sleeve 102 may be configured for use on a rope
having a splice at each end, in which case each sleeve end 104, 106
may be tapered in opposite directions.
[0029] The sleeve 102 is preferably tapered along a distance
corresponding to the splice or tuck length of the underlying rope.
The splice length will depend on the type of splice or tuck being
employed. In the rope manufacturing industry it is well understood
that a full fid is a length equal to twenty-one times the outside
diameter of the component rope. The taper distance of the sleeve
102 is also preferably proportional and substantially similar to
the length of the respective head or tail opening 116, 118. The
particular diameter for each portion of a tapered sleeve 102 should
also correspond to the outside diameter of the component rope at
each respective location. The diameter of the rope at various
points along the splice will again depend on the style of splice
(long bury, tuck bury or any modification or combination thereof)
being employed.
[0030] As mentioned above, the goal of the protective cover 100,
and the sleeve 102 particularly, is to protect a rope from chafing
and cutting. Therefore, the materials used to form the sleeve 102
should be selected for their ability to resist wear caused by
abrasion. The materials used to form the sleeve 102 should also
meet other property specifications based on the intended use of the
underlying rope. In the winch example discussed above, the sleeve
should be sufficiently flexible to accompany the rope around the
winch. Therefore while durable rubber and metal tubes may prove
sufficient in some instances, the sleeve 102 is preferably a fabric
constructed from high performance fibers or filaments.
[0031] The first protective cover 100 provides an improvement over
the prior art because the disclosed first cover 100 has an
increased ability to maintain its position relative to an
underlying rope. The protective cover 100 is able to maintain its
position relative to the underlying rope with the help of one or
more tethers 110, 112. The illustrated embodiment of FIG. 2 shows a
total of four tethers 110, 112. The cover 100 is shown with one
eye-tether 110 attached to the sleeve 102, preferably along the
interior surface thereof, near the first sleeve end 104. The
eye-tether 110 is so named for its potential use passing through
the eye a rope in some embodiments (see FIG. 6). The cover 100 is
also shown with three tail-tethers 112 attached to the sleeve 102,
preferably along the interior surface, near the second sleeve end
106. The tail-tethers 112 are so named for their potential use
along the tail of a rope passing out of the second sleeve end 104
in some embodiments (see FIG. 7). Tethers 110, 112, 210 are
referred to as eye-tethers 110, tail-tethers 112, and later even
head-tethers 210 (see FIG. 4). The separate terms are used for
purposes of clarity of description relative to each embodiment of
each cover 100, but the separate terms should not limit the scope
of the disclosure as all tethers 110, 112, 210 described herein
should be generally considered interchangeable. In other words the
prefix eye-, tail-, and head- are only used to identify the portion
of a rope to which a particular tether may be associated in a
non-limiting embodiment. The general term "tether" can also be
modified by other prefixes such as "sleeve-" or "loop-" to identify
a portion of each cover to which a particular tether may be
associated in a non-limiting embodiment.
[0032] The number of tethers 110, 112 is not limited to the
quantities shown in FIG. 2 so long as the cover 100 is
substantially able to remain in place along a rope under
anticipated applications. Therefore, while one eye-tether 110 is
preferred for reasons discussed below, covers 100 without
eye-tethers 110, as well as covers 100 with more than one
eye-tether 110, remain within the scope of this disclosure.
Further, the number of tail-tethers 112 is not particularly
limited. Having at least one tail-tether 112 is preferred,
especially opposite at least one eye-tether 110, to resist motion
at both sleeve ends 104, 106. However, embodiments without
tail-tethers 112 are also envisioned. Further, embodiments with
more than three tail-tethers 112 are also considered. It is
unlikely that the number of tail-tethers 112 will exceed the number
of strands in the underlying rope, most often twelve strands.
[0033] It is noted that the term "near," and similar term
"proximate," should be understood in view of the overall length of
the cover 100 or sleeve 102. For example, because the sleeve 102
may be tens if not hundreds or thousands of feet long, an
attachment "near" an end can still be several inches or more from
the respective distal end of the sleeve 102. In one embodiment, the
eye-tether 110 is sewed or otherwise attached at a connection point
114 a distance of about 0.5 fid from the extreme of the first
sleeve end 104. The connection point 114 preferably provides a sewn
connection between the sleeve 102 and the tethers 110, 112. The
sewn connection may be stitched with threads of high strength
fibers. While stitching is shown, other types of attachment, such
as adhesive or grommets, at the connection points 114 are also
possible.
[0034] Each tether 110, 112 is designed to restrain the sleeve 102
relative to the underlying rope by being interlaced into the
strands of the rope. Each tether 110, 112 is interlaced along the
longitudinal axis or around the circumference of the rope. Friction
between each tether 110, 112 and the strands of the rope will hold
the tethers 110, 112 in place. While the tethers 110, 112 may be
readily laced into a slack rope, particularly a synthetic braided
rope, strands of a tensioned rope will have a tendency to clamp
down on the portions of each tether 110, 112 positioned between the
strands, providing a secure hold.
[0035] A number of factors are considered for providing a cover 100
with tethers 110, 112 that collectively provide sufficient
retention performance. Factors include: [0036] A) The total number
of tethers 110, 112: an increase in the quantity of tethers will
provide a stronger grip. [0037] B) The length of each tether 110,
112: a longer tether will provide a stronger hold than a short one;
preferably each tether is at least one fid in length. [0038] C) The
width of each tether 110, 112: wider tethers are themselves
stronger, and also provide more surface area for a friction hold;
preferably each tether is at least 0.01 fid wide. [0039] D) The
tether material: materials with a higher coefficient of friction
will provide a stronger hold. [0040] E) The rope material:
materials with a higher coefficient of friction will provide a
stronger hold. [0041] F) The size and/or strength rating of the
rope: more and/or longer tethers are preferred for larger diameter
ropes. [0042] G) The interlace pattern: the pattern of interlacing
the tethers may affect the percentage of each tether able to
provide a gripping force, a preferred pattern is: over two strands
and under one strand.
[0043] In one non-limiting example, a suitable cover was
constructed similar to the embodiment of FIG. 2. The sample cover
had four total tethers 110, 112, each being three fid in length.
Each tether 110, 112 has a width of between about 0.01 and 0.075
fid selected based upon the tenacity of the tether's material. Both
the tethers 110, 112 and the rope were made from HMPE. The tethers
110, 112 were interlaced with a ratio of over one strand along the
outside of the rope for every two strands the tethers 110, 112 were
tucked under.
[0044] Turning to FIG. 4, a second protective cover 200 according
to another embodiment is shown. The protective cover 200 includes a
tubular body sleeve shown forming a partial loop 202. The partial
loop 202 has a first loop end 204 and a second loop end 206. In the
illustrated embodiment of FIG. 4, a hook and loop fastener 208
extends the length of the partial loop 202 in order to allow
opening of the tube shape for insertion and removal of at least a
portion of a rope. In other embodiments only portions of the loop
202 include fasteners 208. In other embodiments, the loop 202 is
free from fasteners 208 along the length of the loop 202. As shown
in FIG. 4, a central region of the partial loop 202 may have a sewn
radius 220 that maintains the curvature of the partial loop 202.
The sewn radius is therefore configured for contact with a curved
contact surface. A partial loop 202 with a sewn radius 220 may be
used for protecting an eye portion formed at the end of the rope
being covered. In some embodiments the sewn radius 220 may
correspond to a portion of the loop 202 with increased material
thickness, such as two or more layers of abrasion resistant
fabric.
[0045] The second cover 200 also includes one or more head-tethers
210 extending from each loop end 204, 206. As should be understood,
the make-up of protective cover 200 is similar to the protective
cover 100 of the first embodiment. Therefore considerations and
features with respect to materials, lengths, attachment, and cover
retention discussed above with respect to the sleeve 102 and the
tethers 110, 112 also apply to the loop 202 and the head-tethers
210.
[0046] Turning to FIG. 5, a third cover 300 is illustrated in a
partially open position. As should be understood, the third cover
300 is the result of combining the first cover 100 with the second
cover 200. FIG. 5 shows a detailed view at the first sleeve end 104
of the sleeve 102. Depending on the length and configuration of the
rope, another second protective cover 200 may or may not be
combined with the second sleeve end 106 (not seen in FIG. 5).
[0047] FIG. 5 shows the cover 300 in a partial open state with the
hook and loop fasteners 108, 208 of the sleeve 102 and the loop 202
detached to show the tethers 110, 112, 210 therein. It should be
understood that when the cover 300 is in-use, each hook and loop
fastener 108, 208 will be fastened around a rope.
[0048] As seen in FIG. 5, each loop end 204, 206 is attached near
the first sleeve end 104 at respective joints 302. The joints 302
may replace, supplement or be separate from the connection points
214 between the head tethers 210 and the loop 202. Each loop end
204, 206 is attached to the inner surface of the sleeve 102 so that
upon closing of the head opening 116, the sleeve 102 surrounds the
loops ends 204, 206, thereby providing an amount of overlap between
the first sleeve end 104 and the loop ends 204, 206. The amount of
overlap is not particularly limited. However, it is preferred that
any eye-tethers 110 are attached at a connection point 114 inward
of the loop ends 204, 206 along the longitudinal direction of the
sleeve 102.
[0049] FIG. 5 shows cover 300 based on a combination of the
preferred embodiments of the first cover 100 and the second cover
200. In other words, cover 300 is shown with one eye-tether 110 at
first sleeve end 104, three tail-tethers 112 at second sleeve end
106, and a pair of head-tethers 210, one at each loop end 204, 206.
However, it should be understood that cover 300 is not limited to
this tether arrangement. This disclosure contemplates covers 300
that omit eye-tethers 110, tail-tethers 112, and/or head-tethers
210 so long as the cover 300 includes at least one tether 110, 112,
210. For example, where neither eye-tethers 110 nor head-tethers
210 are provided, it would be expected that at least one
tail-tether 112 would be included.
[0050] Where at least one eye-tether 110 or at least one
head-tether 210 is provided, the head opening 116 selectively
provided by hook and loop fastener 108 in sleeve 102 should be of a
length proportional to the length of the eye-tether 110 or the
head-tether 210. Therefore the head opening 116 would be of
sufficient size to allow interlacing of the full length of the
respective tether 110, 210 along a rope housed within the sleeve
102.
[0051] Turning to FIG. 6, the protective cover 300 of FIG. 5 is
illustrated with a rope 400. FIG. 6 shows an example of how the
protective cover 300 is joined to the rope 400 along the
longitudinal axis of the rope 400. The illustrated rope 400
includes an eye portion 402 at the terminal end thereof. Creation
of the eye portion 402 results in a splice portion 404 where the
end portion of the rope 400 meets the body of the component rope
400. At the terminal end of the splice 404, the remainder of the
illustrated rope 400 has a tail portion 406 (see FIG. 7) of
generally constant diameter. As noted above, in other embodiments,
the terminal end of the tail portion 406 may extend to the other
end of a length of rope and lead to another splice and a second eye
opposite the first eye 402.
[0052] To form an example protected rope assembly 500 (e.g. a
winching line) (best seen in FIG. 7); the rope 400 is first laid
into an open protective cover 300 (FIG. 6). In some embodiments,
where the sleeve 102 is not completely openable, the rope 400 may
need to be pulled through the sleeve 102 prior to forming the eye
portion 402 or the splice portion 404. In the illustrated
embodiment, laying the rope 400 into the cover 300 includes
providing the eye portion 402 along the partial loop 202 and the
splice portion 404 and the tail portion 406 along the sleeve
102.
[0053] The cover 300 is then tethered to the rope 400. In the
illustrated embodiment each head-tether 210 is pulled from the
respective loop ends 204, 206 and interlaced with the rope 400 down
the sides of the splice portion 404 toward the tail portion 406.
The head-tether 210 may be interlaced linearly down the side of the
splice portion 404, may be interlaced in a helical shape wrapping
around the circumference of the rope 400, or a combination of both.
Interlacing the head tethers 210 with the eye portion 402 of the
rope 400 in a direction toward the center of the partial loop 202
is also possible.
[0054] The cover 300 should also be attached to any eye-tethers
110. From the view of FIG. 6, connection point 114 is not seen
because it lies behind the rope 400. In the preferred embodiment,
the eye-tether 110 is pulled toward the adjacent sleeve end (in
this case first sleeve end 104) with or without being interlaced to
the backside of the rope 400, then pulled through the eye portion
402 of the rope 400 and lastly interlaced with the front of the
splice portion 404 back in a direction toward the tail portion 406.
Again interlacing can be generally linear along the rope 400 or
interlacing around the rope 400 (not shown). In less preferred
embodiments, the eye-tether(s) 110 may be interlaced along one or
both legs of the eye 402. In other less preferred embodiments, the
eye-tether(s) 110 may be interlaced straight down the splice
portion 404 without being run through the eye 402.
[0055] As best seen in FIG. 7, any tail-tethers 112 present should
also be interlaced with the rope 400 along the tail portion 406. In
the illustrated embodiment, the tail-tethers 112 extend from the
second sleeve end 106 and are interlaced with the rope 400 in a
direction away from the sleeve 102. In other embodiments,
especially when a tail opening 118 is provided, the tail-tethers
112 may be interlaced with the rope 400 in a direction inward
toward the first sleeve end 104. As with the other tethers 110,
210, the tail-tethers 112 can be interlaced linearly along the tail
portion 406, helically around the tail portion 406, or a
combination of both.
[0056] After tethering the cover 300 to the rope 400, each fastener
108, 208 is closed to provide a complete assembly 500 as seen in
FIG. 7. Preferably, the loop fastener 208 is closed first and the
sleeve fasteners 108 are closed second to provide the overlap of
the first sleeve end 104 outside and surrounding the pair of loop
ends (not seen in FIG. 7).
[0057] As mentioned above, the cover 300 may be provided with a
loop cover 200 attached to each end of the sleeve cover 100 to
protect a rope having dual eye portions. FIG. 8 shows any
alternative configuration for protecting a rope 400 with dual eye
portions. The embodiment of FIG. 8 shows a pair of combination
protective covers 300 positioned back-to-back (second sleeve end
106 to second sleeve end 106). In some first instances, the
component rope 400 may be exposed in between the pair of covers
300. In some second instances the second sleeve ends 106 may abut
one another. In some third instances the second sleeve ends 106 may
overlap. In the second and third instances, it is expected that
each sleeve 102 of each cover 300 will likely be provided with a
tail opening 118. The selectively separable tail openings 118 allow
the tail-tethers 112 of each sleeve 102 to be interlaced with the
rope 400 in a direction toward the opposite sleeve 102. When each
tail opening 118 is closed, each respective sleeve 102 will at
least partially surround the tail-tethers 112 (if any) attached to
the opposite sleeve.
[0058] In yet another alternative (not drawn) to fully protecting a
rope 400 with dual eyes, a combination cover 300 may be provided on
each end of the rope 400 and a separate first cover 100 may be
disposed between the combination covers 300.
[0059] In view of the preceding description, the tethered covers
100, 200, 300 should be understood to be configurable for a variety
of industry specific applications, covering ropes with a variety of
configurations. In other words, the tethered covers 100, 200, 300
are modular and customizable to customer specification. At the same
time, each embodiment provides excellent exterior protection,
including customized protection of hand spliced high performance
rope assemblies.
[0060] Although the above disclosure has been presented in the
context of exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that
modifications and variations may be utilized without departing from
the spirit and scope of the invention, as those skilled in the art
will readily understand. Such modifications and variations are
considered to be within the purview and scope of the appended
claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *