US1597383A - Towrope - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 24 1926.

W. A. MORTON TOWROP Filed Jan. 19, 1926 a by leaving .a

Patented Aug. Z4, 1925.

UNITED STATES WILLIAM A. MORTON, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORIAV.V

TOWROPE.

Application filed January 19, 1926. Serial No. 82,241.

My invention is a tow rope adapted for use in towing automobiles or the like, being constructed of a resilient type.

An object of my invention is a tow rope formed with a resilient device incorporated therein to allow extension of the rope, whereby the rope may accommodate itself to sudden jolts or the like, or sudden starting in towing an automobile.

A particular 'object of my invention is the incorporation of a resilient device with a rope so that the resilient connection bridges a bight or slack in the rope, the resilient device being adapted to stretch so that the slack may be taken up. Normal towing strain is transmitted through the resilient device and rope when stretched.

A specific object of my invention is the use of coil springs through which a t-ow rope may be roved, there. being two springs with links connecting the springs, the links being adapted to bridge a slack or bight in the towrope and the ends of the springs being adapted to hook underneath .yor through a strand of the rope and hence maintain the springs in proper position.

ln constructing my invention l use a pair of strong helically wound springs of ,suiit cient diameter so that a tow rope may be roved through the springs. The near end of the springs arel connected by links or hooked bars to transmit the strain from one spring to the other, the free ends ofthe springs being secured to the tow rope therebight or slack between the adjacent ends of the spring; the strain of towing normally being transmitted by the springs through the links. and the rope.

My invention Ywill be more readily under stood from the following description andV drawings, in which: l.

Figure l is a side elevation illustrating the use of my tow rope in normal operation with the strain of towing being transmitted by the springs through inextensible links,

the slack or loosely.

Fig. 2 illustrates the operation under a sudden strain or in difficult pulling, in which bight of the rope hanging the springs are extended and the strain isA transmitted mainly by the rope, the slack being taken up.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a tow ropey with my resilient attachment connected thereto, being shown with .a slack in the repel Fig. L is anl enlarged detail of Fig. 3, partly broken away, illustratingthe mannerV of attaching the ends of the springstithe tow rope. Y f

My invention is int-ended to be used mainly with hemp or similar type'of tow ropes, the ropes being indicated by the numeral l. A pair of springs 2 formed of wire coiled helically are provided with engaging prongs 8 being bent in the form of a hook 4f at oneendand having an eye formed at the other end. These springs are of such internal diameter that the tow rope may be readily roved through same.

)ne or more links 6 are secured between the eyes of adjacent springs, the illustra tion showing twolinks each connected by loops 7 or in any other suitable manner. The prongs and hooks 3 are adapted to be twisted underneath one or more strands 8 of therope and to be firmly securedthereto so that when thesprings are normally contracted as shown `in Fig. 3 and even under a towing load, there will be a slack or bight 9 formed in the rope.`

As an ,additional precaution againsttearing of the rope strands or slippage of the springs, metal clamps 10 are secured on the ropes, firmly attaching the prongs and hooks to the rope. .If a metal tow rope is used it is preferable to, have the ends of each of y.

the springs formed with tight fitting coils and with the hooks 3 fitting snugly in 'the outside periphery of the rope, the prong l lying along the surfaceof the rope so that the clamps lO will securely hold the end of the spring to the rope without requiringL lifting of the strands.

After the ropes have been roved through the springs in the manner above described,

clews 11 may be secured to the end, the rope being fastened by the clamps 12, in order tol allow a simple attachment to the axles of automobiles or the like by means of lashing ropes.` Y y The operation of my tow line resilient attachment is substantially as follows:

Usuallyv the springs are Y of vsufficient strength to take up `any slack which readily forms by the towed vehicle running up.

on the towing machine, thereby preventing the slack from dragging behind the axleof the towed machine or getting tangled in* f -lt isfto be understood that my tow444 rope may be utilized having a spring of consid.-n

erable strength and suticient to maintain a slack inthe rope when towing an ordinary weight vehicle on reasonably smooth roads, such slack being taken up by Aexcessive strains due to starting or hard pulling. Therefore in the specification and claims the mention of the slack being in the rope during normal towing andthe rope straightened out` under excessive strain is to cover both constructions with tlielright and the heavy Spring- 'n rising 'the term'rope I intend my inyention to cover not onlyhemp jor other types of rope but wirev rope, belts, straps or` a suitable type oi' chain which may pass through the coils of the springs.

Although'iny invention is of ay simple charaeter,7 nevertheless, it will be apparent that the general construction and specific details may he changed to suit diierent towing arrangements. For instance, the springs and links may be adapted to towing'ohains as well as ropes and instead of using long` links (i as indicated ordinary size chain'linlrs, wire cable,` or h'eavfyhemp` rope could he utilized. Such *various changes would be withinthe spirit or" my invention as set orth in the description, drawings and claims.

' Having describedfmy invention, Awhat I claim l. n tow rope comprising incombination f a flexible rope, a plurality otsprings, the rope heilig ioved throughjthe springs, lneanjs to attach-,the springs to the rope, inenten# sible means connecting the adjacent ends 'ot the sprngs, the springs being positionedon the rope to normally form a slack therein in normal Atowing operations and in abnormal conditions to stretch, allowing the towing strainV to be transmitted partij,T by the rope and partlyby the springs and inextensible connection. f

'2, A tow rope comprising yin'combination a plurality of helically coiled springs, fieX- ihle rope roved through said springs, means toattach the? springs to rthe rope, an inex- 3, "A tow rope comprising in combination aA pair of helically coiled springs, a riexible rope roved through vsaid springs, thel outer ends of the springs lhaving ends caught through strands of the rope, an inextensible connection between the adjacent ends ofthe springs, the springs being mounted on they rope to normally form a slack, the slack be'- ing taken yup by the `extension of the springs thereby transmitting abnormal stresses directly through thev ropeV and 'through the soifings and the connection between said springs. f la A tow rope comprising in combination a pair ofhelic'ally'coiled springs, alexible rope roved therethrough, clampssecuring the opposite ends` of the pair oi' springs to therop'e, linlrs connecting the adjacent ends or' the springs, the Springs being mounted on the rope to normally form a slack between the springs. Y l

,5,111 tow rope,van extensible attach# nient comprising a pair of helically coiled springs, said springsl being of such internal diameter to allow roving of .a tow rope therethrough', inextensible links 'connecting the adjacent ends of the springs, the opposite ends of the pair oi springs being con structed and adapted to allow securing to a tow rope.` Y f 1n testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

VILLAM' A. `MORTON-

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