NL1036380C2

NL1036380C2 - Releasable rope loop connection device.

Info

Publication number: NL1036380C2
Application number: NL1036380A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Pieter Douma
Original assignee: Pieter Douma
Priority date: 2008-12-31
Filing date: 2008-12-31
Publication date: 2010-07-01

Description

RELEASABLE ROPE LOOP CONNECTION DEVICE

5 The present invention relates to a lightweight, releasable rope loop connection device as defined in the preamble of claim 1, in particular for connecting two load items, commonly encountered a.o. as sheave blocks, e.g. for nautical application. It comprises a (first) connection body to which a first load item is to connect, which body is held in the device by a rope, which rope is at one end included releasable within the 10 device, and is at another end fixed. To this end the device is provided with rope seats.

Such a system is known in practice, and is reflected in the first embodiment of the international patent publication WOO 142682A, which discloses by example of a sheave block, a lightweight device for connecting various items in tension, using a high tensile strength braided rope with its ends joined to form an elongated rope loop. Such devices 15 are particularly known in the nautical field but, as described in said publication, may also be applied in other technical fields such as of halyards, hoisting, offshore and fishing technology.

The known connection device is highly advantageous, not only because of the weight advantage aspects as described in said publication, achieved by applying said 20 loop, but also because of a practical reason at insertion of ropes in a connection. In earlier prior art designs a possibly very long rope should be patched through the sheave block entirely by inserting and pulling one rope end through the loop. Where so-called snatch block existed, i.e. sheave blocks that could be opened for e.g. half-way insertion of a rope, these were often bulky, heavy and/or expensive. The presently known 25 connection device in contrast, may be opened for insertion of a rope, and subsequently be closed again, however is light weight and is of a reasonably small volume. Such features are highly appreciated in working conditions with few hands available and at sea, especially high sea conditions.

The said known device has for a disadvantage however, that both the device and 30 the loop are principally not loaded symmetrically, which feature may ultimately lead to either premature failure or of unfavourable load specification for the device. More in general, it is subject to improvement, also in terms of easiness of use of the device. The present invention therefore seeks to improve the said connection device in general, in particular by providing a symmetrically loadable, alternative lightweight and / or easy to 35 use, releasable connection device.

According to the present invention, such is realised by applying the technical features as specified in the characterising portion of claim 1. With such technical features, the device is provided with rope seats that are included in a second connection body, which second body thereto is provided with a central connection location for a 1036380 2 second one of said load items, said seats being included laterally to said central connection location, and said first connection body is in this new arrangement provided with a through opening, such as in a bush or a tube, and said rope is extended through this opening. In this manner, the loading of the device is securely performed 5 symmetrically without undue increase of weight of the device, so that a highly reliable device is attained with a considerably promoted expectation of long lastingness thereof, With this novel arrangement, moreover a significant improvement in usability in terms of ease of use is attained due to the fact that a good grip of the eyed rope end to be released is realised. In this latter respect, amongst other reasons, the absence of a sheave 10 block in the direct vicinity of the releasable rope end allows direct, i.e. secure grip thereof.

It is remarked that in said prior art, a symmetrically loadable sheave block is known from figure 10. It has for one disadvantage that it is relatively difficult to release or to insert the releasable rope end due to the presence of the sheave block in the 15 immediate vicinity of seat for an eyed rope end or for a looped rope part. The known solution therefore applies a permanent lanyard at release of the loop. At high sea or difficult working conditions, it may not be that easy to find and get grip of such small lanyard - direct grip is therefore preferred and realised by this invention, while reinserting the rope end is not supported by such lanyard.

20 It is further remarked that the patent publication of the said known device, in figure 8, also discloses a shackle, showing at least part of the features included in a device according to the present invention, i.e. with pin or release pin. A kind like element as in figure 8 of this publication is thus included in a connection device, in particular a sheave block according to the present invention, despite the fact that the 25 publication does not provide a clue or incentive towards such combination. Where such would have been the case, the presently claimed device requires the central shaft of the disclosed sheave block to be replaced by or to be provided with a bore, and to have the rope passed through such bore, so as to have eyed ends connected to the second body or pin of the new connection device.

30 In the novel arrangement according to the present invention, the two loads to be connected by the connection device exert their forces within the new device in a manner which does not stress the connection device itself in an undue manner. Due to the presence of the rope seats comprising pin, the rope of the connection device is loaded square to the axis of rotation of the roller, which eliminates the requirement of internal 35 compression members for receiving side loads. A further significant improvement by the presently claimed invention is thus recognised in the fact that insertion of a rope after release of the releasable rope end can be performed instantly. No further loosening of the internal rope of loop from the relevant side cheek is required, nor subsequent mutual twisting is required to allow insertion of a load device, i.e. of a rope. Rather, at 3 release of the rope or loop end, the load device to be connected can already be inserted. Particularly at high sea or difficult working conditions, such release of handling requirements is immensely favourable.

Particular features of the invention include, in general, a lowest possible own 5 weight compared to the loading capacity of the construction or device, as well as a very rapid manner of opening and closing for inserting a line in a block or shackle. In case of sheaves: - An additional provision by means of which lines of several thicknesses may be kept on to, or at least close to the rolling part, without the line touching the opening and 10 closing mechanism; - A fully symmetric loading of all parts of which the sheave is deviced in case it is tension loaded; - A considerable degree of conformity in shape and symmetry of parts, effecting the manufacture of parts and the assembly of the product highly efficient and easy to 15 perform.

A sheave constructed like this may be embodied either as a single sheave block or as a multiple sheave block. The roller of the sheave, where provided with a bearing, may as of choice be provided with either a sleeve bearing or a roller bearing, such as a needle bearing or a ball bearing.

20 The present invention, directed to the improvement of a said connection device by the specified combination of a release pin and a roller body, is in general, $ described a as made clear by the claims depending upon claim 1, further improved by several other inventions of applicant, including an improvement in the rope or loop utilised, the application of guiding means and last but not least the release pen itself, improved a.o. 25 by said pin head, as well as a shackle based upon such improved release pin.

Thus, where the present patent application amongst others relates to a light weight construction, in particular a device for nautical use, that may serve as a connection between lines or ropes - this may also be a sheave for hoisting a load -, it may also be a releasable connection between an eye in a rope or line or a fixed eye and 30 a second line, such as in e.g. a shackle. Such a shackle is therefore also subject to independent patent application by Applicant, as well as a release pin, the improvement of which is here also described.

According to a further enhancement of the presently conceived device, the device is further be improved by the use of a lightweight, specially prepared, strength 35 enhanced loop, comprising at least two windings of rope made endless by connecting the ends thereof over a considerable extent of the circumferential length of such winding, in particular between 20 and 80% of such length, preferably around half of said length, and preferably pre-stretched to an irreversible extent, in particular to about fifty percent of it’s breaking load. In particular such loop is included in a sleeve, more in 4 particular of UV-resistant material, and preferably pre-stretched together with said windings. This feature greatly promotes or enables safety and miniaturisation, and therefore weight reduction of both the presently claimed sheave block and of sheave blocks known per se, especially sheave blocks incorporating internal rope 5 interconnections. This feature is therefore also subject to independent patent application by Applicant.

According to yet a further enhancement of the presently conceived device, the device is provided with spherically shaped line holders, attached to mutually facing sides of cheek plates incorporated aside a roller of the device at such mutual distance 10 that rope of a load item to be passed over said roller may not pass the space between said line holders without manual pull thereof. This feature, also subject to independent patent application by Applicant, greatly enhances easiness and safety of use of sheave blocks known per se, especially sheave blocks incorporating internal rope interconnections.

15 The present invention may be applied in numerous areas of industry, including all kind of hoisting material, however is especially suited for use in yachts. It may be clear that areas where weight saving is an issue are of particular interest to the present invention.

The invention will now be elucidated further along a drawing in which: 20 Figure 1 is a partly cross sectional view of a block according to the invention, showing two take outs of the main figure at the bottom side;

Figure IS is a side elevation of figure 1;

Figure 2 in a view according to figure 1 shows a second embodiment of the roller block according to the invention; 25 Figure 3 represents, partly in cross section, a shackle produced in accordance with a further aspect of the present invention;

Figure 4 depicts an intermediate product in the making of a loop in accordance with the present invention;

Figures 5A and 5B represent further intermediate products and steps in the 30 pursuit of a first manner of interconnecting rope ends for forming an invented loop;

Figure 6 represents a second manner of making a rope endless;

Figure 7 represents a loop finished in accordance with the present invention, as well as a final process step for forming the same;

In die figures, identical reference numbers relate to identical or at least 35 comparable technical features.

Figure 1, supplemented widi side elevation IS thereof, depicts a cross section of a sheave block or one of sheave and block for short in daily life, in accordance with the invention. For describing the same, the following references are applied, depicted according to a sheave block in a simple embodiment showing a sleeve bearing: 5 1. roller, alternatively denoted sheave.

2. sleeve bearing 3. closure ring for the right and left hand side bearing 4. cheek or flange 5 5. hollow bushing 6. endless loop 7. loop clamp, fastening the loop 6 to cheek 4 8. fasteners, fastening the clamp to cheek 4, one above and one below said loop at each cheek; 10 9. tackle, made by rigging rope or cordage e.g. Marlow® 10. protective sleeve, protecting tackle 9 11. closure head part of closure pin 12 (Fig. 3) 12. closure pin, alternatively denoted toggle or release toggle.

PI line holder (13,14,15) 15 13. screw 14. ring 15. cap nut (in figure 2:) 16. bearing bush with screw thread 20 17. nut

As separate take outs of figure 1, the release toggle 12 shows: 12A release and insertion head part 12B shoulder parts for fixed loop seat 12D 12C releasable loop end seat 25 12D permanent loop end seat 12E recessed central toggle part for receiving rope or cable.

The loop 6, also as depicted figure 4, in turn is composed of: 18. rope, made of strong fibre such as Dyneema® 18A, 18B rope end parts 30 19 protective sleeve, protecting the rope from UV radiation, e.g. with use of

Spectra® 19A, 19B sleeve end parts 18. 20. tackle for sleeve 19, made by rigging rope or cordage e.g. Marlow® With respect to the construction of the sheave, the following is remarked for 35 sake of elucidation. The roller 1 is mounted over a sleeve bearing 2 and is laterally enclosed by bearing closure rings 3. This assembly is positioned over a hollow bearing bush 5. The bearing bush further carries side cheeks 4. These are as depicted preferably enclosed by the bearing bush 5, more in particular by folded, i.e. flanged end parts of the bush, stopping the side cheeks from shifting off the bush bearing and fixing the 6 sheaves in a stable manner against the end closure rings. Other ways of fixating such assembly however may as well be contemplated, e.g. by means of a bearing bush with screw thread 16 and nut 17, as depicted in figure 2.

To the inner side of each cheek 4, is inserted a line holder part PI, i.e. a part 5 which in conjunction with the line holder part PI at the opposing cheek forms a line holder, i.e. an enclosing means for enclosing i.e. keeping a line of a thickness suited for the roller within the space virtually enclosed by these line holder parts and the roller. The line holder parts PI, as indicated in the left lower part of figure 1 is most preferably embodied by a smooth surfaced spherical knob, fixed to said cheek 4, either by 10 screwing or by a permanent fixture. In this case a cap nut 15 is used for forming the line holder part PI, which has the advantage that it may, together with screw 13 or not, be exchanged by larger caps in case thinner lines are used. Also rings 14 may be used instead of or in combination with this feature. Screw 13 is in this example embodied by a screw for conical seating within cheek 4, so as to allow loop 6 to pass over it, at least 15 virtually without chance of scratching.

Line holder PI is devised with the novel insight that it may need a relatively small human effort, in fact a quick pull through the opening between the parts to insert a line in the space near the roller, and that a line thus inserted will not leave the space without force, i.e. when for some reason, often temporarily, it comes loose from the 20 roller. Especially at sailing this has the immense advantage that the rope will not, in fact no longer, settle such that it would, together with the other rope or line to which it is connected via the sheave block, tear apart the cheeks of the block. It thus also means an improvement of the degree that the block will remain functioning as intended. It also means that no special, sometimes dangerous moves are required towards the block for 25 re-setting it in cases of faulty connection of ropes. An advantageous embodiment is depicted to the lower left part of figure 1, indicating a screw 13, to protrude through an opening in a relevant cheek, and provided with one or more rings 14, so as to easily adapt for minor variations in thickness of a rope actually applied.

Through the hollow bushing 5, and through bushing 16 in figure 2, is inserted a 30 loop 6, which may be a piece of rope provided with eyes at its ends. In this, preferred case the loop is an endless one, thus automatically provided with eyes, at least a beginning therefore at the virtual ends as created by insertion of the loop through the narrow bore of the bushing. The rope end parts are connected to a so called release toggle 12 or toggle for short, alternatively denoted closure pin 12. One rope end is at 35 least preferably connected permanently to the closure pin 12. To this end it is laid around a recessed rope seat 12D, preferably concavely shaped. After that it is tightened by means of a tackle made by rigging rope 9 such as Marlow®. By means of said tackle, the rope end virtually fully circumferentially encloses seat 12D, i.e. is fixed in 7 position. The tightening tackle is subsequently covered by a protective sleeve 10, protecting the rigging rope 9.

The other end of the rope, in casu embodied by the loop 6, which a-pro-pos is included symmetrically through the bush 5, i.e. with identical lengths at each side of the 5 roller, is in fact in a comparable manner provided with an eye. In this case however, the eye is releasable from its seat 12C at the toggle 12. This is primarily made possible by less tight creation of the eye, so that it may manually, i.e. with some force that is applicable by and available in men’s fingers, be taken out of its seat. The eyes opening, the stiffness of the rope taken into consideration is of such magnitude that the eye under 10 normal condition could not slide out of its seat 12C. The insight underlying this construction is that use can be made from some tapering space between pin 12 and the rope part adjacent the relevant cheek. Such space may either be present due to the use of an endless loop or to a relatively large eye in case such eye is created by transverse binding or tackle of the rope as with cordage or rigging rope 9, i.e. by locating such 15 tackle somewhat closer to the roller side. With such room for effectively enlarging the eye towards a larger “round” opening, the invention further contemplated a knob or head part 12A for the toggle 12 at the toggle end for the releasable rope part. By having such knob 12A in conjunction with a somewhat larger eye, the eye may be taken off its recessed seat 12C, over the largest circumference of the knob 12A with even one hand, 20 by pushing the knob 12A, e.g. using the thumb towards the eyes inner side and subsequently, e.g. by using middle and pointing finger thereto, pulling the rope end, i.e. the eye from the pin 12. Such a feature, especially at sailing, however also at work is of immense importance in that lines may be set in or taken out a connection extremely quickly, virtually without effort and while keeping one hand free for use otherwise, e.g. 25 for holding the body safe. It is remarked that while such releasable eye as perceived will normally not release itself from the pin, i.e. will not open the sheave block, such will certainly not be the case under tense condition, i.e. where force is exerted by the two ropes connected through the sheave block. It is remarked that the pin 12, which will normally be made in a metal or a synthetic material, is provided with a central part of 30 reduced thickness so as to further save on weight of the block and to accommodate a rope end or eye to be connected by the sheave to a second rope ore line. As shown in the lower, right hand part of figure 1, the seat 12C for the releasable pin end, may, compared with the other seat 12D, be provided with curved side edges rather than straight radial oriented walls, so as to enhance taking off a rope’s eye.

35 It is according to the invention preferred that the rope parts 6 are clamped against the cheeks 4, by clamping means or loop clamp 7 so as to achieve solidness of the sheave block and so as to prevent die rope 6 from scratching against a cheek 4. To this end a cheek 4 is made large enough to attach a strap 7, extending transversely to the direction of loop 6 to the cheek. So the rope 6, is as of it’s protrusion from the bushing 8 5, i.e. bushing flange preferably tightly bend in the direction of the plane of a cheek 4 and held there against by said strap 7. The strap 7 is here attached to the cheek 4 by means of fasteners 8 fastening the loop to the cheek, in this case screws.

Further to the toggle or closure pin 12 as depicted to die lower right side of 5 figure 1, it is remarked that it is made of a light weight material, preferably a metal, more preferably made of e.g. titanium or stainless steel. So as to further reduce on weight, it is in accordance with preference produced hollow. Most preferably, as depicted with a so-called blind opening, which is sealed by lid 11, made of a synthetic material. The shape of pin 12 as depicted is designed specifically for its application as a 10 sheave block for nautical use. In general it may be remarked that the round shape of knob 12A also serves the easy insertion of the rope 6, i.e. the eye thereof, over pin 12. Seats 12C and 12D are preferably flanked by shoulder parts showing a wall part extending generally transverse to the axis of the pin 12. The shoulder parts at seat 12D for the fixed rope end may be provided with higher shoulders than those for the 15 releasable rope end seat 12C. In the shown design the height of the shoulder adjacent the pin head 12 is made slightly lower than the remaining three shoulders. In a particular embodiment the shoulder most remote to the pin head 12A is made largest of all four shoulders. Such may further promote reliable use of the release pin, especially since the pin is in bent in fact around the fixed rope end position for release or entry of a load 20 item in the device. A height increased shoulder at the outer side may thus better keep a rope end in its seat 12D - it relays the hinging point towards to a position in the rope, in fact to a part of the rope between pin 12 and cheek 4 - and it may also promote secure manufacture when the eye for the fixed rope end is shifted over die pin 12, via pin head 12A towards its seat. The transitional pin parts between the central pin seat 12E, 25 showing a conical shape and the shoulder walls, which in fact discontinue the conical shape of the central seat, support such shifting at manufacture. Since such shifting is to be performed with considerable force, e.g. by hammering, an enlarged outer shoulder height will enhance a secure mutual shifting of pin and rope end towards a desired final, fixed seating, i.e. without overshoot.

30 As to figure 3, depicting a shackle made according to principles of the present invention. It is remarked that shackles are usually made in a metal material, often stainless steel. These are quite heavy. With the insights according to the present invention, in particular with a loop yet to be described, a shackle is made having the same features as the above described sheave block, i.e. an extremely low own weight 3 5 relative to its load taking capacity, and extremely easy and quick at opening and closing.

The rope or loop 6 is inserted in a tube 21, corresponding to the manner in which it is inserted in the bushing 5 of the above described sheave. The tube 21 is in a preferred embodiment provided with round flanged ends. Preferably also, the tube is bend to a curved shape, preferably after the rope or loop 6 has been inserted.

9

At the toggle or closure pin side 12, the rope or loop 6 is non-releasable connected to the pin, i.e. laid over seat 12D and tightened with a tackle corresponding, again in a manner corresponding to the sheave block. In fact only the sheave or roller part has been replaced by said tube 21, which implies that also the manner of opening and 5 closing the shackle corresponds to that of the sheave block. At both the tube 21 and the bushing 5, the ratio between opening and thickness of the rope or loop inserted therein is such that considerable force is required for realising relative movement between bush 5 or tube 21 and the rope or loop 6. In fact the amount of required force is such that for handling purposes, at least when virtually free from acting forces, the rope or loop 6 is 10 fixed in position relative to said bush 5 and tube 21. In fact also, the rope or loop 6 can not be shifted from its position using manual force without manipulating the head part 12A. This fixation feature is regarded an important contribution to further improvement of the basic idea of creating a releasable, light weight connection device. It is remarked however, that the shackle according to the present invention, i.e. with the toggle as 15 currently devised, may as well be applied without the said tube 21.

Figure 4 depicts an intermediate state of a special loop realised in accordance with a further aspect of the invention, in particular for further reducing the weight of the connection means while maintaining if not increasing the load capacity of said connection means. To this end a rope 6, embodied as a special loop or as an ended rope, 20 is pre-stretched before insertion into the connection means. In particular it is prestretched by a force considerably larger than the nominal load expected or prescribed for the connection means. A practical pre-tensioning is made by a load which is more than half of the braking load for the rope.

In the preferred embodiment shown by figure 4 and further, the rope is made 25 endless as shown in the figure, i.e. made into a loop 6, by interconnecting the ends thereof. Stretching and insertion are performed after the loop or ended rope to be included has been made. In the releasable connection means according to the invention advantage is taken from an increased stiffness or rigidity of a rope thus stretched in that sliding of the releasable loop or rope’s eye from its seat in closure pin 12 is further 30 hampered, while still a sliding off may be easily be performed manually. In fact, after such pre-stressing the rope of the loop has decreased in diameter, and the loop more or less remains in a shape, in particular a shape of the loop adopted due to the pre-stressing action.

The interconnection of the ends of a rope forming the loop 6 is made in a 35 manner known per se corresponding to manner of creating and or tightening a rope’s eye. As may be understood, such interconnection renders a locally thickened loop part L. In the latter respect see e.g. figure 5A and 5B. At application of a loop according to the present invention in a connection means having a bush 5 or tube 21, this thickening is in accordance with yet a further aspect of the present invention located central in such 10 tube or bush and distributed evenly at either side thereof. In the examples given here the thickened part L may be of a length between 20 and virtually 100% of the circumferential length of a loop. Although parameters such as the size of the connection means, the load capacity, the physical nature of the rope and the manner of tightening 5 may be taken into account when determining L, it was found that the thickened, or overlapping loop part L can normally best be set at around 50% of the circumferential length of the loop.

A loop 6 according to the invention may show, as depicted in figures 4 to 6, a number of loops, alternatively denoted strands or windings. The ends are be tightened 10 together. The loop 6 comprises of a pleated rope 18 without kernel, i.e. with central opening, e.g. of Dyneema® or another highly loadable high tech rope, which rope is brought into a number of windings. The windings are realised while inserting a loop end through a sleeve 19 at each winding. The hollow sleeve 19 is composed of a UV-resistant material such as Spectra®. The loop furthermore comprises tackle rope 20, in 15 particular Marlow®. In accordance with the insight underlying the invention, the function of rope 18 is to take up the tensile load, that of sleeve is to protect rope 18 against deteriorating influence of UV radiation. Tackle rope 20 is used to neatly finish the ends of the sleeve by a tackle.

The UV-resistant sleeve 19 is pushed over the rope 18. Subsequently, an end 20 18B of rope 18 may, via opening 19A be drawn through the sleeve 19 as many times as deemed desired for attaining the desired strength of the loop 6. In figure 4, this is done four times, however any number of windings larger than zero could be applied in accordance with the principle of the invention, though preferably more than one winding. For a stronger or less strong loop, the number of strands may be increased or 25 decreased respectively. The loop according to the invention may be made endless in different manners, of which two are here described by way of example.

Along figures 5A and 5B a first method of making the rope 18 endless is illustrated. The end 18B of the rope 18 is entered into the centre, hollow part of the other end 18A of rope 18 over a distance L. Thus, over a distance L, the thickness of 30 rope 18 is doubled. In accordance to preference of the present invention, best results, i.e. with virtual security of integrity of such connection, are attained if the distance L is at least about 20% of the length of a winding. For practical, economical and safety purposes L is preferably made around 50%, e.g. 50% plus or minus 10%, however preferably - although in principle almost 100% can be performed - preferably no more 35 than around 80% of the circumferential length of the loop is used for interconnecting loop ends. At both ends of the thus created loop part of double thickness, a tackle by tackle rope 20 is provided.

Figure 6 exemplifies a second manner of rendering a rope endless in accordance with a further aspect of the present invention. First aid part 18B is shifted over a short π distance through the open kernel of the other rope part end. Then the end 18B is pleated in between pleated or twined ropes forming the other rope end part so as to protrude external of the other rope end part. At some distance, in casu between one and one and a half cm further up the other rope end part, the end part 18B is again inserted between 5 pleated or twined ropes forming the other rope end part 18A, however, this time entirely through the other rope end part. This process of sewing through the other rope end part as it were, is repeated over an earlier described distance L, i.e. preferably up to about half of the circumferential length of the loop to be formed. In colloquial wording a dolphin like interconnection between the rope end parts is thus created. An advantage of 10 this type of interconnection is that pulling the cord end parts, as is gradually, thus safely performed at pre-tensioning the thus formed loop, in fact strengthens the interconnection. Again, at both ends of the thus created “double thickness” rope part L, a tackle 20 is provided for neat finishing.

After the rope end parts have been interconnected in either one of the preceding 15 described, or even other manner, i.e. after the rope has been made endless in the described manner, the loop is finished by pulling sleeve 19 over at least virtually the entire loop circumference. Preferably end part 19A is for a short distance pulled over the other sleeve end part 19B. The loop is then finished further by tackling a tackle rope 20 over both sleeve ends, overlapping or not. It is however remarked that where tackle 20 is mentioned in connection with different aspects or embodiments of the present invention, in principle a connection is meant, which may be realised using connection means such as glue, a melt or a tackle. More preferably however, the latter is applied.

Preferably a loop according to the invention is provided with a protective cover 19, protecting the rope against UV-light, which in case of modem synthetic ropes -25 dyneema® is applied here -, may otherwise lead to premature deterioration thereof, and thus to failure of the connection means. Such cover is composed of a UV-resistant material such as Spectra®. The cover 19 is here embodied by a sleeve. It is in practice slid over the windings before the rope is made endless, at which the sleeve is temporarily folded backwards, away from the connection area. In the depicted 30 embodiment the sleeve is a plaited sleeve.

The loop created as described in the preceding is subsequently pie-stressed in the manner described before. Pre-stressing, or pre-tensioning is always performed with the overlapping, or thickest part L, or alternatively the none-overlapping part, at least largely central to and evenly distributed between the two pulling shafts over which the 35 windings are slid. Such pre-tensioning is performed gradually, such that the loop to be created is strengthened rather then weakened. This means that the pre-tensioning is performed such that extension caused in the rope or loop is irreversible. In practice, a minimum amount of pre-stressing is performed by exerting a load of e.g. between 1500 and 2000 kgf between the shafts in case of a so called double winding and a relatively 12 thin rope as discussed here. After such pre-stressing the diameter of the loop decreases while the stiffness thereof increase considerably. A stiffness factor in this respect, increases significantly. In fact loops pre-tensioned in accordance with the invention may be held upright at a lower part thereof. The increased stiffness or the rope or loop is 5 favourably utilised in accordance with the invention in that stiffened rope or loop material much better performs a clicking action as it were at re-insertion of the eyed rope end in the seat 12C of the release pin 12. It remains its nature for very long time, even after continual use, and provides a much more secure insertion and better feel at insertion than known rope eyes, which have a fluffy nature. In this respect, where the 10 pre-stretched loop, to some extend resiliently maintains a largely elongated rope or loop end eye, a fluffy eyed rope end more easily may assume a more or less round shape, totally without resilience, which is not desired for the type of connection at stake.

Loops created in accordance with the invention have the advantage of being light weight and exceptionally strong. Moreover they are stable in the sense that 15 elongation or creep virtually does not occur due to the treatment of pre-tensioning, in fact pre-loading. Thus a loop according to the invention, with or without protective sleeve, may be applied as a connection member per se, i.e. without further connection means parts such as in case of the above given application examples including a sheave and a shackle. A loop according to the invention may be applied in numerous areas, 20 including the area of hoisting loads.

The invention, apart from the following set of claims, also relates to the preceding description and all details and aspects in the drawing which are directly and unambiguously derivable there from by a person skilled in the art.

1036380

Claims

1. A lightweight, tensile, detachable connecting device. for connecting two load dclcn. which comprises a first connecting body (1-5; 16. 17) to which a first load decall can be connected. which body is held up by a rope (6). which rope is detachably received at one end in the device and fixed at another end. for which the device is provided with rope seats (I2C. 12D). wherein said rope seats are included in a second connecting body (12). and which second body for this purpose is provided with a central connection point (12E) for a second said load dec. which seats (12C, 12D) are accommodated in said second connecting body laterally with respect to said central connection location (12F), and which first connecting body is provided with a through opening, such as in a shaft or a tube. and said rope (6) extends through this opening.

2. Device as claimed in claim 1. wherein the second connecting body (12) is formed by a general pin or pin-like device

Device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the lifting part (6) is permanently, at least permanently, connected to said pin (12) at one end.

4. Device as claimed in the foregoing claim, wherein parts of a detachable rope or loop end are knotted together or clamped together at a location between said knot 20 at said fixed rope end part and said central axis or tube. that is, further away from said rope seat or pin than at the other, fixedly connected end portion of the rope. taken in a direction transverse to an axis of said pin (12).

Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pin (12). at a releasing end is provided with a spherically shaped head or head part (12A).

Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said pin (12) is made of a lightweight material, in particular lightweight steel, more in particular in titanium or stainless steel.

Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the pin (12) is provided with a central cavity which is open, preferably closed by a synthetic cover member (11), at the end for fixed connection to the loop (6).

Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein a tube (5) for the first connecting body is included as a support for a spool (1) or disc such as a freely rotatable rope disc, or a bearing (2) which has such a spool (1) supports.

Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein such a spool (1) or bearing (2) is surrounded by rings (3) which are arranged around said tube (5), such as synthetic rings. for example, bearing washers (3). 1036380. ΙΟ. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein a spool attached to the tube (5) is enclosed between cheeks (4). for example embodied as a part plate material, which guides the loop (6) to said pin (12).

Device according to one of the three preceding claims, wherein said tube (5) is provided with clamping means. which forms a composition of component parts of a disk carrier of a disk block. which are tightly held together by said clamping means.

Device according to the preceding claim, wherein a deformed end part of said tube serves as clamping means

Device according to the preceding claim, wherein the pin (12) has a length corresponding to the width of the first connecting body. and wherein the seats (12B and 12C) are placed on said pin such that when included in the device, the seats are placed laterally beyond the position of the cheeks (4) of the first connecting body.

Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the cheeks (4) and the said loop parts which extend between tube (5) and pin (12) are mutually connected, i.e. clamped together

Device as claimed in the foregoing claim, wherein said mutual connection comprises a belt (7) connected to a cheek (4) which urges a loop part against the cheek. 16. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the cheeks are shaped asymmetrically, with a major part extending towards said pin (12). taken in the direction of loading of the establishment.

17. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the cheeks, preferably designed in the form of a plate, each on a side facing each other, are provided with rope guide parts (PI), in other words line holders. preferably spherically shaped, which parts are included with a mutual shortest distance which is less than the thickness of a guide rope to be guided by the roller or disc (I) of the device. and sufficiently large to be able to bypass the said parts in the event of a human jerk on the rope to be guided, i.e. between said parts.

A device according to the preceding claim, wherein said parts are included at such a distance from said roller that a rope to be guided over said roller is held almost permanently in place by said guide parts (PI),

Device according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein said guide parts (PI) are included interchangeably, i.e., releasably.

Device according to one of the three preceding claims, wherein said guide parts comprise head nuts. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing four claims, wherein the device comprises spacer means such as rings for adjusting the mutually shortest distance between said guide parts to a thickness of a rope to be guided, at least suitable for receiving in a safe manner.

Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein said pin is provided with a central opening opening at the non-symmetrically shaped end (I2B, 12D).

Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the rope or loop is passed through the central opening of the first connecting body in such a way that it cannot be pulled out manually, nor is it preferably displaced from its seat in said bore with a significant part of the force specified as "crushing force"

Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the rope part (6) is an endless loop

Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the endlessness of said loop is realized by overlapping end parts which are mutually connected, for instance knotted by means of a tackle, glued together or melted

26. Device as claimed in the foregoing claim, wherein a loop part that is shown to have a largest thickness is included in the device with said thickest part extending through said central opening in the first connecting body. which part m length is preferably uniformly distributed with respect to each side thereof.

Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said endless loop is pre-stretched, in particular irreversible.

Device according to the preceding claim, wherein the loop is pre-stretched by a load of at least half the breaking load of the loop.

Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the loop comprises at least a substantial part. is preferably provided with a surrounding cover over its entire length.

Device according to the preceding claim, wherein the cover is pre-stretched together with the loop size.

Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the cover is provided with overlapping ends.

32. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the overlapping end parts are connected at the place of overlapping end parts of the rope material of the loop.

Device according to the preceding claim, wherein the connection, i.e. hoist, gluing or melting, is placed at one end of the overlapping rope end parts opposite the overlapping end parts where the rope is knotted together.

The apparatus of any preceding claim wherein the overlapping rope end portions have a length L between 20 and 80 percent of a surrounding length of the loop.

An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the overlap rope end portions are of a length L of about half a circumference length of the loop.

Device according to the preceding claim, wherein the cover is made of UV-resistant material, in particular of Spectra. 37. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the cover is cuff-shaped

An apparatus according to the preceding claim, wherein the loop is formed by guiding a rope end through said sleeve two or more times before the rope ends are bound together 1036380