GB2051905A

GB2051905A - Rope End Connector

Info

Publication number: GB2051905A
Application number: GB7922304A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: SCHWAIGER S WWE TAUWERK MUENCH
Current assignee: SCHWAIGER S WWE TAUWERK MUENCH
Priority date: 1979-06-27
Filing date: 1979-06-27
Publication date: 1981-01-21
Also published as: GB2051905B

Abstract

An end connector for a rope (2) having a sheath (4) and internal fibres (3) includes a sleeve (9) enclosing an end portion of the rope and an eye (7) by which the connector can be attached to another member. The fibres are secured to the connector by bending them back over a ring (11) and pressing the sleeve wall to clamp them between the inside of the sleeve wall and the ring. An end seal may be provided to prevent ingress of water and/or dirt into sleeve 9. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Rope End Connector The invention relates to an end connector for ropes made of fibres or filaments, in particular for a synthetic resin rope consisting of fibres parallel to one another, with a sleeve, in the hollow of which the fibres are clamped to run in a substantially axial direction with the aid of a securing part.

From German Offenlegungsschrift 24 24 102 an end connector of the above referred to kind is shown, in which the fibres of the rope are held within the hollow by means of a substantially conical securing part. The anchorage of the rope is effected in such a manner that the conical securing part is forced into the hollow containing the fibres extending parallel to the axis, whereby the fibres are clamped between the securing part and the conical hollow extending in the direction of the rope accompanied by the generation of a tension force within the rope. The rope is brought on every load applied thereto automatically into an ever more stable anchorage condition.

In order with the known end connector to achieve an adequate seal against entry of water and dirt, a pinch seal is provided in the region of the two ends of the larger part of the conical hollow.

The known end connector has proved satisfactory in practice and has been demonstrated as very dependable. It is, however, relatively costly to manufacture since both a part of the hollow and also the securing part are conical and the conicity of the two parts must be carefully matched to one another. Furthermore, the hollow must be sealed at both ends, in order to achie adequate water and dirt resistance at the closure of the end connector. The known end connector is for this reason employed appropriately for stronger ropes of which the manufacturing cost is negligible in relation to the cost of the rope.

The present invention has as its object to provide an end connector of the above-mentioned kind, which is cost-effective in manufacture but nevertheless is capable of withstanding a load, which corresponds to the maximum loadcapability of the rope.

The problem is solved in accordance with the invention in that the securing part is a ring through the opening of which the fibres are introduced, the free ends of the same being bent back over at least the outer surface of the ring and the ring is clamped with its opening coaxial with the hollow within the sleeve by a reduction in the diameter thereof.

The end connector in accordance with the invention is simply constructed and easily manufactured. It is sufficient to thread the ring over the fibres and subsequently to bend the fibres backwards. The thus prepared end portion of the rope is then introduced into the hollow of the sleeve and finally the sheath is reduced from the outside by reducing its diameter without squeezing out the fibres.

Both the ring and also the sheath are simple, inexpensive parts, which in general can be drawn from ready made parts or products. By the reduction in the diameter the clamping sleeve so clamps the fibres between the wall of the hollow and the ring, that the rope having regard to the breaking load thereof is subjected to a sufficient anchorage. Depending upon how far the fibres are bent back, there takes place not only in the region of the ring securing of the fibres, but also in the region where the bent back fibres enclose the fibres running from the rope to the clamping location.

In order to achieve not only a friction anchorage but also a positive anchorage of the rope within the sleeve, it can be provided that the sleeve at least at the side of the clamping station of the ring lying in the tension direction of the rope has a possible circumferential or interrupted constriction. On loading of the rope the ring can be displaced within the sleeve only so far as the constriction permits it. If the constriction is visible from the outside of the sleeve, a good opportunity is given to inspect for possible overload of the sleeve, since any possible deformation of the constriction can be readily recognised.

In an advantageous development of the invention it is provided that the fibres of the rope are encased by a sheath and this extends up to the ring. The sheath is on the one hand advantageous, since the fibres of the rope are protected against dampness and dirt, and on the other hand during manufacture of the end connector they can act to guide the ring positively into the bore. It is sufficient in fact, for the ring to be threaded on the fibres until the commencement of the sheath, as a result of which the rope together with the sheath can be introduced into the bore. On the insertion the fibres automatically bend and come to lie on the outside of the ring or of the sheath.

Insofar as the sleeve is thereby pressed onto the sheath, which already provides for a good seal between the sleeve on the one hand and the sheath on the other, this is advantageous. In addition it can, however, also be provided that the rope is covered at least in the region of the opening of the hollow with a sealing sheath. This is, above ali, advantageous inasfar as the sheath of the rope is not so flexible that there is ensured a long term seal. In this case the sealing sheath assumes the sealing function.

In this respect it can also be advantageous for the sealing sheath to have a thickness which corresponds to the thickness of the layer of the bent over fibre ends. In this manner it is achieved that the sleeve, at least in the zone of the bent over fibre ends and the sealing sleeve, can be reduced in diameter by about the same amount.

There is thus produced an approximately similar outer shape.

Hereinafter embodiments are described, by way of example, of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. There is shown in: Figure 1 a partial longitudinal section through a first embodiment; Figure 2 a partial longitudinal section through a first embodiment; Figure 2 a partial longitudinal section through a second embodiment; Figure 3 a partial longitudinal section through a third embodiment; and Figure 4 a longitudinal section through a ring constructed as a cylindrical sheath before and after deformation.

In Figure 1 of the drawings, an end connector for a synthetic-resin rope 2 is shown, which consists of fibres 3 extending parallel to one another, which are encased by a sheath 4 of rubber.

The end connector includes a sleeve 5, which will be manufactured of a commercially available aluminium tube. The tube is pressed in the zone of the anchorage section 6, and is then provided with an eye 7. In the transition zone 8 the sleeve 5 is broadened from the squeezed form to the original tubular form, as is provided for the remainder of the connector section 9. The pressing in the region of the anchoring section is so carried out that the sleeve is closed in this zone against dirt and damp.

From Figure 1 it can be understood without difficulty that the rope 2 together with its sheath 4 is introduced into the hollow 10 of the sheath 5 to a point slightly before the transition section 8.

Before the end of the sheath 4, a ring 11 is incorporated which, like the sleeve, also consists of aluminium. The fibres 3 coming out of the sheath are introduced through the opening of the ring and bent back over the outer surface of the ring in the direction towards the opening of the hollow 1 0. The free ends of the fibres thus lie in the free space between the wall of the hollow 10 and the sheath 4.

The diameter of the ring is adapted both to the diameter of the hollow and also to the thickness of the layer of the bent over fibre ends. It can be introduced during the manufacture of the end connector together with the rope and its sheath with ease into the hollow of the sheath at the connector section 10.

In the region of the opening of the hollow 10, the rope is provided with an additional-sealing sheath, which is made of an active sealing material, for example, rubber. In the present case the sealing sheath has a thickness which corresponds to the thickness of the layer of the bent over fibre ends.

In order to complete the end connector after introduction of the rope, it is sufficient to press together the sleeve in the region of the connecting section in order thereby to produce a reduction in diameter. It follows that in the region of the ring a clamping location is effected in which the fibres are either clamped only between the outer surface of the ring and the wall of the hollow or additionally within the ring frictionally.

A further friction locking can be produced as desired with the bent over fibre ends between the wall of the hollow and the sheath. Naturally the inserted sealing sheath 12 within the sleeve is clamped so that a dirt and water-tight seal is produced.

The second embodiment illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawings includes the principle of construction of the first embodiment and for this reason corresponding parts and sections are provided with the same reference numerals.

Hereinafter only the differences between the two embodiments will be referred to. The description given hereinbefore of the same parts is for this reason also applicable to the second embodiment.

Primarily it is to be noted that with the second embodiment there has been omitted a special sealing sleeve 12. The sealing sleeve lies for this reason, after pressing, in the region of the opening of the hollow directly opposite a corresponding narrowing 1 3 at the rope sheath 4. This is achieved by different diameter reductions during the pressing operation. The same also applies to the clamping station for the ring 11. In the second embodiment, in contrast to the first embodiment, dimensioning and the securing of the aluminium ring, in comparison to the dimensioning and securing of the sleeve, are so matched that during the pressing operation the ring must lie in a rimforming bulge 14 of the hollow.The bulge is in itself so formed that in the two sides of the clamping station the sleeve is reduced more severely in diameter than in the region of clamping location. This means that in the present case there is provided on both sides of the clamping location a recess 1 5 or 16, which will prevent a slippage of the ring.

At this position it must be emphasized that for all tension loadings on the rope as such a constriction on the corresponding side would be sufficient which, seen from the clamping location, is arranged closer to the open end of the hollow.

When a tension force is generated the ring would, inasfar as any displacement takes place, engage on the shoulder of the constriction, a further displacement of the ring being possible only by widening distortion of the constriction.

In order to be able to examine for control purposes whether such a widening has taken place, it would be advantageous insofar as in the region of the bulge 14 the sleeve would be indicated on its outside by a circumferential colour strip. Insofar as the bulge has, in fact, been distended the missing integrity of the colour strip profile can immediately be recognised so that the ring must have slipped within the sleeve.

In Figure 2 of the drawing, the bulge is shown in exaggerated form for the sake of better illustration. In reality in addition, a smaller constriction that that shown would be possible.

During the manufacture of the second embodiment by way of example, the differing profile of the sleeve can readily be produced by providing the press used for the manufacture of the end connector with specially adapted clamping jaws.

The third embodiment illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawings has likewise in principle the same construction as the first two embodiments, for which reason once again for similar or corresponding parts the same reference numerals will be employed.

It is easy to appreciate from the drawing that the ring 11 indicated in Figure 3 has a larger dimension in the axial direction than the ring shown in Figures 1 and 2, more precisely stated its axial extent amounts to a multiple of the wall thickness of the ring. It has the shape of a cylindrical sleeve. That one of the end faces of the ring, around which the fibres are bent, is rounded to avoid damaging the fibres.

In the embodiments now indicated the diameter of the ring opening is determined so that it corresponds approximately to the outer diameter of the fibre bundle of the rope or, if insignificantly different, smaller than it. By this means it is provided that the ring can be engaged in the manner of a kind of slide fit on the fibre bundle and during the actual manufacture of the end connector no particularly great deformation of the ring need take place in order to clamp the fibres within the ring opening.

With the rings of Figures 1 and 2 this is carried out somewhat differently. There the diameter of the ring opening is with the deformed ring, somewhat larger than the outer diameter of the fibre bundle, whereby as a result of the selected kind of deformation either a clamping or nonclamping of the fibres within the ring opening is produced.

A further difference between the third embodiment and both the other two consists in that in the example indicated in Figure 3 the sleeve is deformed in the manner of a wedge, that is, the sleeve is tapered in relation to the rope. In the drawings the wedge formation is illustrated in exaggerated form. It actuality even a wedge of one in fifty is sufficient. It should be emphasized that even in the third embodiment the sleeve originally consists of a cylindrical tube which, however, is then during deformation of the end connector forced into the wedge-like shape.

On making a comparison between the rings of Figures 1 and 2 and that of Figure 3, it is clear that they have in the deformed condition in relation to the outer diameter of the sheath itself, various different outer diameters. This has its reason. In the third embodiment, the ring had before its deformation at its outer diameter a small offset in relation to the diameter of the sheath 4 of the rope 2. During the deformation it will so reduce in its diameter that its diameter after deformation will correspond to that of the sheath. By this means it is achieved that the ring and the sheath have a continuous seating surface substantially equally dimensioned in the radial direction for receiving the bent back fibres. There follows from this in a simple manner a corresponding clamping of the fibres between the sleeve on the one hand of the ring and the sheath of the other hand.

With the rings of Figures 1 and 2 there is provided an outer diameter that even after deformation is still larger than that of the sheath.

Even after deformation from the selected slope of the wedge, in the embodiment shown in Figure 3 it can be provided that the ring, during defcrmation in the same sense as the sleeve, is slightly deformed in the manner of a wedge.

Inasfar as this kind of deformation of the ring is desired, it is naturally possible to bring a ring, as it is shown above in Figure 4 before its location within the sleeve, into a shape which is indicated below in Figure 4. For this purpose a simple press can be employed, which somewhat upsets the ring in the axial direction and thereby imparts to it a slightly conical form. By this means also the profiling can be so controlled that the corresponding ends of the ring are rounded. It shouid be emphasized that this kind of wedge-like ring can be employed in all three of the embodiments described.

Claims

1. An end connector for ropes of filaments or fibres, in particular for a synthetic-resin rope consisting of parallel fibres, with a sleeve in the hollow of which the fibres extend in the substantially axial direction with the aid of a securing device, characterised in this that the securing device is a ring (1 1), through the opening of which the fibres (3) are introduced, the free ends of the same being bent over at least the outer side of the ring surface and the ring being arranged with its opening coaxial with the hollow (10) within the sleeve (5) and is clamped by a diameter reduction thereof.

2. An end connector according to claim 1, characterised in this that the sleeve (5) has a constriction (16) at least on the side lying in the tensile direction of the rope of the clamping section of the ring (11).

3. An end connector according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in this that the fibres (3) of the rope (2) are encased by a sheath (4) and the.latter extends up to the ring (11).

4. An end connector according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in this that the rope (2) is encased at least in the region of the hollow opening with a sealing sheath (12).

5. An end connector according to at least one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in this that the sealing sheath (12) has a thickness which corresponds to the thickness of the layer of the bent back fibre ends.

6. An end connector according to at least one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in this that the diameter of the ring opening corresponds to or is smaller than the outer diameter of the fibre bundle of the rope (2).

7. An end connector according to at least one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in this that the ring (11) is dimensioned to have a length at least in the axial sense, the same as its wall thickness amounts to in the radial direction.

8. An end connector according to at least one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in this that the ring (11) is formed as a cylindrical sleeve.

9. An end connector according to at least one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in this that the ring (11) has a conical outer surface extending in the axial direction.

10. An end connector according to at least one - of claims 1 to 9, characterised in this that the ring (11) before its deformation has a larger outer diameter than that of the sheath.

11. An end connector for a rope substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.