US1397718A - Wire rope - Google Patents

Description

J. N. BELLWALD.

WIRE ROPE. APPLICATION FILED MAR. I8, 1920.

Pat elated Nov. 22, 1921.

anvewtoz 777M212 Z Z Wu Z65 m (lam/"M10 JOHN N. IBELLWALI), OF MEXICO, MEXICO.

WIRE ROPE.

Specification of Letters iEatent.

Patented Nov.22,1921.

Application filed March 18, 1920. Serial No. 366,917.

To all to hom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J orm N. BnLLwALD,

a subject of the Grand Duchess of Luxemburg, residing at Mexico, in Federal District, Mexico, have invented certain new and use ful Improvements in Wire Hopes; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same. 7

This invention relates to improvements in wire ropes, such as used for hoisting cables and various other purposes.

At the present time, wire ropes consist of a plurality of helically wound wires or strands, which are wound around a center or core. A hemp core is used in the ma jority of instances in making ropes, how ever, in some instances a metallic core con. sisting of a wire strand is substituted. WiI'e ropes in which hemp centers or cores are em ployed are not entirely efficient in many respects, because when the ropes are put under strain, they stretch and their diameter becomes smaller by reason of the fact that the wires or strands have a tendency to straighten out, and in doing so exert a pres sure toward the center or core of the rope. Because of this action, the wires of the va rious strands which are in contact with one another are subjected to an exorbitant and undue crushing strain, which of course shortens the life of the rope and causes the premature breakage of the wires at these places. These broken wires being in the in terior of the rope cannot be detected, thus the ropes break suddenly without giving any previous warning, causing in that way, serious accidents. Even if the rope does not break suddenly, this undue crushing strain between the wires of the various strands shortens considerably the life of the rope. Also, because of the hemp core becoming; crushed, and the diameter of the rope be coming reduced, clips, clamps, and friction grips of aerial tramway carriers which'are positioned thereon are allowed to slip, very often causing serious accident. Another and extremely noticeable disadvantage of wire ropes having hemp cores is that the strains to which the ropesv are subjected causes the strands to flatten out and assume a substantially elliptical or oval shape, which occurs when they are passed around or ,over sheaves, as the case with hoisting or transmission ropes, and also when sheaves pass over them, as is the case where ropes are employed as tracks for aerial tramways. The ropesin assuming'an oval shape as already set forth, cause the wires of the strands at opposite points to bulge out. In this way the wires of the strands aresubected to very short bends in these places, whlch causes the wires to break prematurely, shortening the life of the ropes considerably.

it seems that even though wire ropes in use at this time present the above and other disadvantages, these conditions are accepted as an unavoidable evil. To overcome these defects, I propose to introduce into the construction of wire ropes, an element, the function of which will be to take up stresses directed toward the center, 'which occur as soon as the ropes are placed under tension. It is my intention to use a metallic center or core instead of the usual hemp core, preferably, my core consisting of a tubular member composed of relatively m0vable members which permit free flexing of the rope. The metallic core will be used alone, or it will be employed in conjunction with a suitable filler. This filler may be placed on the outside of the metallic core, that is, between the core and the strands or wires to prevent direct contact of the ietals, or it may be placed inside of the tubular core.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same;

Figure l is an elevational view ofa wire rope embodying a novel metallic core constructed. in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is a detail perspective view of a modified form of one of the rings or elements sometimes used in the formation of the core.

Fig. is likewise a detail perspective view of still another form of ring.

Referring to the drawings wherein the preferred embodiment of the invention is clearly illustrated, the numeral 1 designates a rope-like core such as is usually employed in the make-up of wire ropes. Under my idea, I assemble a pluralitv of separate elements 2, preferably of ringdike formation, on this core so that they abut one another in the manner shown. With this construction and arrangement, it will be seen the iii * point, I'desire to set forth sired, as shown.

bedaid' on hemp center or core 1 serves as a novel means for permitting the metallic elements to be easily and readily assembled thereon and it also serves as a novel means for dis pensing a lubricant to said metallic ele ments. Thus, an extremely effective and flexible core is provided. After the core is completed, a plurality of wires or strands of wire 3 are wound in a helical manner about the core to form the complete rope. At this theifact that the hemp center or filler'need not be disposed within the metal'rings, because in some instances, it may be disposed on-the outside of these rings to prevent direct contact of the wires of the strands with theringsof ther core, which circumstances would other- W156 lessen the lifeof therope. Whether it is; inside: orthis fillerserves as an eife'ctive means for dispensinga: lubricant and emphasisis to this construction.

In; Fig. l I. have shown the core-as being madeup. of a plurality of metal rings of flat cross section, but I desire it to be understood that these rings may be constructed, if dein Figs. 2 and 3 wherein, in the first mentioned figure a round ring 5, split at 6 is shown, while in the last figure a round wire ring 7 of diiierent construction is shown. This-ring 7 will'be'provided with a laterally offset portion 8 and the free ends 9'bear against this portion Swhich forms ashoulder therefor. In use, these-rings will be pressed around the'hemp filler 1.

wire rope constructed in accordance with my invention willbe found extremely useful and advantageous in every respect, thatbecause of the employment ofthe tubularmetal core shown, which insures the ropes will be less liable to lose their original shape in passing over sheaves or the like, avoidmg, to a great extent, sharp bends. of the.

wires of the strands on opposite sides of the rope which permits the wires to break in little or no time. Also, the rope will. not

stretch, and will thus do away with the periodical cutting oii' and resplicing the ropes as isn-ow customary. Rope clamps, clips, and the like, which are employed in many-instances with ropes ofothis type, will be. preventedfromslipping and losing their grips on rope, due to the prevention of a decrease in diameter of the rope which now ordinarily occurs. Another feature resides in the fact that this metallic cor will not be crushed'as'the' ordinary unprotected hemp core or center is consequently, the lubricant which is contained in the protected hemp center of my corewill not belsqueezed out. Because of this, the necessary interior lubrication :of the ropes will be providedforxduring th'eir entireliie, thus insuring prolonged preservation oitherope.

y employing a tubular core such t use,

outside of the metal rings,

instead of the core formed by a. wire strand which is one of the constructions now used, the ropes will be more pliable and the weight of'theropes will'b'e greatly reduced without impairing the strength of the ropes. With the metal cores nowin use, lubrication oi? the ropes is practically impossible. 7 On the contrary, the metallic core which I use will permit'effective lubricating the rope. I? or this reason and the i the life and effectiveness of wire ropes will be greatly prolonged. Prolongation of the life o f'wire ropes willalso contribute to the safety of their use which is ve y important, hecause thousands of lives are the safety of wire ropes everyday.

While I have shownaand described my core as beingused in conjunction with round wireropes, i desire it to he understood that it maybe equally-well used with ropes of different-designs, for-instance, the 'loclred coil types and spiral'wire'ropes.

Another important feature 01 myinvention residesin the'iact that the tubularcore maybe made in many of spiral coils placed side by side, or of rings or disks of various forms, shapes and designs placed alongside one another. The coils and rings may 'be'made from various appropriate kinds of metals or metallic alloys, anc' the rings may be formed from one piece of metal or may 'bebuiltiup. in twoor'more sections, or

others above enumerated,

intrusted' to ways. F or example, it may be formed or" sectlons maybeformed by a spiral coil of one'or'more windings, as mentioned above. The exterior circumference, of these rings and coils may he round'and smooth, or may be fashioned invarious ways, so as to provide more bearing surfacefor the strands. V p

A careful consideration of the foregoing description taken in connection with the drawings, will enable those. skilled in the art towhich thisinvention pertains, to acquire a thorough understanding of the'ob H jects and advantages thereof without a more lengthy description. It is to be. understood that the form of my invention herein shown and described is to be taken as a" preferred form of the same and that various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope oithe subjoined claims.

i. claim as my invention A wire rope including a tubular flexible i metal core made up of a plurality of separate elements and a plurality of wires or strands of wire which'are'wound around the core.

2. i-Lwire rope includingga tubular metal core composed of a plurality of relatively movableseparate ringdike. members, and aplurality of wires or strands of wire hel-ically wound around the core. A; structure set forth in claim 1, a filler of absorbent material being used in conjuncilio tion with the core and serving to contain and ter of absorbent material, a plurality of 10 dispense a lubricant. metal ring-like elements assembled on said 4:. A wire rope comprising a flexible core center and arranged in abutting relation, composed of aplurality of axially alined sepand a plurality of wire strands wrapped 5 arate independently movable elements araround said elements.

ranged in abutting relationship, and a plu- In testimony whereof I have hereunto set 15 'rality of strands of wire wound in a helical my hand.

manner around the core.

5. A wire rope comprising a rope-like cen- JOHN N. BELLWALD.

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