US2399157A - Rope - Google Patents

Description

April 3, 1946. R. F. WARREN, JR 2,399,157

ROPE

Filed June 19 1940 INVENTOR. emuneo F. wneaslu Je.

' ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 23,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFlCE ROPE Richard F. Warren, Jr., Stratford, Conn. Application June 19, 1940, Serial No. 341.352 I 11 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in ropes.

The objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein satisfactory embodiments of the invention are shown. However it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the details disclosed but includes all such variations and modifications as fall within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

In the drawing:

Fig. l is a side elevational view of a short section of the rope of the invention a portion of the outer strands being broken away and part 'of the core being shown as never having had the outer strands laid about the same;

Fig. 2 is a somewhat enlarged transverse sectional view taken as along the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a rope core alone;

Fig. 4 is a view somewhat similar to Fig. 3 but showing another modification of the rope core:

Fig. 5 is an enlarged transverse sectional view showing a modification of rope; and

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 but showing another modification of rope.

Referring in detail to the drawing and at first more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 at I21 is shown a rope including a main core I28 over which are laid strands I28 each comprising a core III and a series of wires I32 laid or twisted over such core. Strands I29 are circular in transverse section although the invention is not limited to such construction.' For use in drag lines and the like other shapes of strands and elements may be employed as, for example, wedge or triangular shaped strands and elements may be used. The main core I 28 is a bar-like filament and prior to incorporation in the cable is of constant diameter and round in transverse section. As will later develope, this core is extruded. Core III and engaged the same on all sides by the strands I" whereby such strands are uniformly supported throughout the length of the rope.

Fig. 3 shows a core separate from any other rope structure. This core generally designated H1. comprises a plurality of small diameter vinylidene chloride filaments Ill twisted together. Core I31 is quite flexible and provides considerable surface area for the application of lubricant.

Core I31 has many desirable characteristics and particularly where it is made of a large number of relatively small diameter filaments it is substantially circular in transverse section and provides a uniform support for strands laid about it. However the core is but loosely twisted and care should be taken in unreeling it so that it does not untwist whereby it may be kept with the foreheart originally laid into it.

Fig. 4 shows a construction wherein the vinylidene chloride, of which the core generally designated I is formed, has first been cut or formed into strips. Thereafter the strips are twisted to provide filaments I and any desired number of these are twisted together to provide the core. A core made by the twisting up of a single strip of the material may be used. However, for larger or main cores a plurality of strips are twisted together to provide the core with the desired solid characteristics and with the desired resiliency and elasticity.

Fig. 5 shows a rope including fillers I13. In such figure the rope is generally designated I14 and the same includes a number of strands designated respectively I15, I16, I11, I18, I19 and I each made up of a number of wires or metallic elements. The strands are arranged about a central core Ill which may be of hemp or other natural fibres or of any of the plastics, the characteristics of which have been set forth. In fact the core may be of metal strands if so desired and if of plastic, may be any of the constructions of cores heretofore considered.

Each of the strands of the present rope is made up of a number of metallic elements or wires Ill and of a number of smaller diameter metallic elements I" (of which five are shown) and of the fillers I13 of vinylidene chloride. At the center of each strand is an element I of metal or of plastic.

The rope I14 is much more flexible than It would be if the filler elements I13 were of metal. These elements do not add particularly to the tensile strength of the rope but they do serve to prevent the metal elements thereof from nicking one another and act as cushions for such elements; Additionally when loaded with lubricant as they may well be, the fillers I13 serve to retain the lubricant and free it as maybe required during use of the rope as disclosed in my copending application.

Fig. 6 shows a Scale type rope generally designated I85 and comprising sixstrands I86, I81, I88, I89, I90 and I9! arranged about a main central core I92 of natural fibres or of the construction of any of the cores I31 and I above mentioned. Each'strand of rope I85 comprises a plurality of wires or metal elements I93 ar ranged in a circle about and in spaced relation to a central metal element I94 and about said central element and between it and the larger outer wires I93 is a ring of vinylidene chloride filaments res. These plastic filaments do not make for a rope or cable having the tensile strength of a rope or cable wherein the mentioned elements are oi steel, but have more strength. than if natural fibre is used.

The plastic filaments make tor a rope or cable of great flexibility and in addition the plastic filaments act as cushions preventing nicliing oi the inner and outer metal elements on one another. As the rope is laid and as it is used, the various stresses set up in it will result in deformation of the plastic filaments from the precise form in which they are shown but the plastic material will be present between the inner and outer metallic elements to function as a cushion and when loaded with lubricant will serve to retain and feed the latter as it may be needed during use of the rope.

In making the rope of the invention each of the filaments (metallic and non-metallic) is preformed or formed on a helix whereby the filements in a strand interfit with one another without stress. Thus should any filament become broken the ends of such filament will not have atendency to spread outwardly of the zone of the body of the strand and will,resist unstranding and thus remain in place giving something to the strength of the assembly. This same preforming opera tion is carried out in connection with the strands made of the preformed filaments whereby the strands being formed into helices will lie in an unstressed neutral condition in the ropes.

The preformed construction has little internal stress and therefore, ropes made as described will lie in a flat or straight condition with no real tendency to snarl or twist. When the ropes are to be cut it is not necessary to seize the ends as they will not unlay. Also such ropes have a longer life when run on sheaves; they are easier to splice; resist rotating in grooves; spool or coil perfectly and resist whipping.

While in connection with the disclosed embodiments of the invention the various non-metallic filaments and cores have been described as 01! vinylidene chloride it is to be understood that such material is the plastic preferred in the making of my ropes but that other plastic may be used. Generally speaking the non-metallic filaments or cores comprise organic plastic ma-' terials or certain inorganic natural plastic mate rials as glass fibres, quartz fibres, or Bentonite (in the form known as Alsifilm) although asbestos has been found useful for my present purpose.

In fact some of the organic plastics may be used with clay or other cheap fillers as well as with fillers or cotton, silk, wool, waste ends from rope making, or other fibrous materials both natural and synthetic. Thus cotton, silk, wool, rayon aaoauv and other regenerated celluloses, or other fibrous material may be used in the form of flock, stable fibres, threads, swatches of woven iabrics or impregnated sheets cut to strips for twisting into elements or strands. In addition cellulose derivatives while in alpha and beta stage may be used as fillers and to toughen the material.

Vinylidene chloride possesses about all of the characteristics required. It is oil, acid, and

alkali resistant, non-inflammable, has the de-.

sired modulus of elasticity, tensile, abrasive and fiexural strength, is resilient, will not oxidize, is not adversely affected by sun or other light rays and has exceptionally low solvents. Further it is for the most part (as are the other vinyl derivatives) resistant to corrosive halides such as chlorlne and bromine and also to mustard gas. Vinylidene chloride is permanently water proof and is not afiected by bacteria and will not support fungus growth and so is not likely to decay through biochemical attack. The vinyliclene chloride (sold commercially as Veiialloy) is in most respects mentioned herein similar to another vinyl compound. sold commercially as Vlnyon. However the latter is not as desirable due to the necessary use of plasticizers which dissipate in time making the material very brittle.

Vinylidene chloride has a critical point of set in that such material when stretched to the point of most yield has a return of about 10 percent. The stretching must be accomplished within a short time following extrusion as otherwise the material must be soaked in heat to cause it to return to random orientation to prevent the formation of cracks in its surface.- Plastic filaments having a fixed amount of stretch and return provide a rope which gradually takes up its load. Where such filaments are used in a rope also having metal elements the feature of stretch is present since the metal elements may straighten and squeeze-into the plastic filaments providing for elongation of the rope. The parts will return to normal on being relieved of the load. The initial portion of the stretch is most easily obtained and as the rope elongates each succeeding degree of elongation requires a greater or increased load so that the load in any given instance is gradually taken up.

The non-metallic filaments, and cores of the rope of the invention may be of any of the various plastics as above sug ested and such plastics include synthetic resins, natural and synthetic lastics, cellulose (as ethyl cellulose) and its derivatives, protein plastic substances (as nylon), and petroleum plastic derivatives. There are several chemical types of synthetic resins such as (1) phenol-aldehydic resins, (2) amino-aldehydic resins, (3) hydroxycarboxylic resins, (4) sulphonamide resins, (5) resins from sugar, (6) vinyl resins including resins from vinyl derivatives, (7) indene resins and (8) lignin plastic substances. The polymerization resins and particularly the vinyl resins including resins from vinyl derivatives are preferred for my purpose.

Under the type (I) may be included resins such as phenol formaldehyde, cresol and cresylic acid, other tar acids and formaldehydes, phenol furfuraldehyde or other tar acids and other aldehydes. Under type (2) is included urea and formaldehyde resins, and aniline resins obtained by condensing aniline and formaldehyde and other anilines or amines and other aldehydes.

Under type (3) I include materials produced by the esteriflcation of polybasic acids with poly hydric alcohols. Such materials-are frequently called alkyd resins, this title including adiplc acids resins obtained by the condensation oi.

adipic acid and glycerin or by the condensation vinyl butyrate, vinyl chloride, acrylic resins from vinylcarbonic acid ester, vinyl carbonic acid, vinyl benz ole or polystyrol, divinyl or butadiene, vinyl ester or vinyl chloride, copolymerized polyvinyl chloride and polyvinyl acetate (known commercially as Vinylite) vinyl acetate, polymers of vinyl halides combinedwith diflerent percentages of plasticizers (known commercially as Koroseal) the commercial article known as Vistanex and comprising polyiso butylene polymerized with boron trifluoride and also comprising polyiso butadiene having a tacky to rubber-like structure, the commercial products known as Vinyon (a 00-. yolymer of polyvinyl chloride and polyvinyl acetate), Butacite (a reaction product of vinyl acetate resin with butyraldehyde), and Rezel (resulting from the fact that the introduction of an unsaturated resinous ester of the maleate polyester type into a compound of the type has the property of curing the latter), the polymer of ester of acrylic acid known commercially as Plexigum, polymers of the esters of methacrylic acids such as the polymethacrylic resin sold as Lucite and Plexiglas. Isobutyl methacrylic resins, certain plastic obtained by mixing the monomer of styrene with vinylidene chloride and' with ethylene glycol and maleic acid and copolymerizing the mixture, styrene and in addition thereto the resin known as po y Resins of the indene group (type '1) include polyindene and poly-cumaron. Under type (8) I include lignin and its derivatives extracted from paper mill waste waters and other sources. The lignin may be separated into various chemical components of no value to me here but also into colored gums and by various treatments into clear transparent resins useful for my present purpose. Lignin is hydrogenated with Raney nickel catalyst, in aqueous solution yielding methanol, propylcyclohexane, hydroxy propylcyclohexanes, and a colorless resin which may again be separated into an alkali soluble in an alkali insoluble c0mp0- nent. I use either of these components in the production of resins to be used in the making of ropes.

Under the heading of natural and synthetic lastics, I include as natural lastics-Balata, rubber, gutta percha and latex to be used alone or as a coating or processed -r compounded with other materials. As the synthetic lastics I mention polymerized chloroprene (of the type now sold as neoprene); polymerized butadiene (of the type sold as Buna or Perbunan); polymethylene polysulphide (of the type sold as Thiokol) chlorinated rubberiof the type sold as Tomesit); rubber hydrochloride (oi the type sold as Plionlm); and isomerized rubber (of the'type sold as Pliform) and any latex of these. Also sulphonated rubber or synthetic sulphonates to promote wire adhesion.

Certain materlals'sometimes called synthetic lastic I prefer to include under the heading of vinyl derivatives. For example, it appears that the polymerized vinyl derivative known commercially as Vistanex (polyiso butylene and polyiso butadiene) might be included under either group. Such material is used in the present instance when mixed with other materials and has certain lubricating properties or value in the making of ropes.

Under the heading of cellulose and it deriva tives I include cellulose acetate; regenerated cellulose; cellulose xanthate; benzylcellulose; ethylcellulose; cellulose hydrate; cellulose triacetate; cellulose acetobutyrate; cellulose acetopropionate; hydrolysed cellulose acetate and others of the Y cellulose esters and ethers. Railan a rayon thread made from cellulose extracted from sugar cane may'also be used. Most of these materialscan be used alone for my purpose in the making of ropes and can be used in the form of filaments or may be cut to strips from sheets and then the strips twisted into filaments, such as those hown at I of Fig. '4. Also certain of these materials may be used with other materials herein ment ioned for the purpose of toughening the latter.

' Nitrocellulose compounded with other materials of a less flammable nature or of a nature to prevent flammability, may be used. Halowax or the like may be used for compounding with nitrocellulose and it i noted that the latter in so far as cost, strength and the like are concerned, is a desirable material for my purpose. Other noninflammable plasticizers which may be compounded with nitrocellulose-for my purpose are monophenyl phosphate and di (paratertiary butyl phenyl) mono. l5 tertiary butyl 2 xenyl phosphate; The-flammable nature of nitrocellulose .may be weakened or lessened by mixing with varying proportions of cellulose acetate. Under this class may also be included gel cellulose which may be used for my purpose. This material may be used as a filler with other materials herein mentioned.

Under the heading of protein plastic substances, I include casein preferably in the fibrous form sold as Lactoill and Lanital made by either the wet or dry process. The material sold as Zein, and which comprises a raw material in the form of a powder, may by extrusion or the like be converted into fibres for use here. Polypentamethylene sebacamide sold as nylon may also be used. Regenerated silk made by reducing waste silk and waste cocoons containing silk and then forming it into threads or sheets to be cut to strips, is also believed to fall under the present heading.

That group of compounds of which at least one is obtained by condensation polymerization from a'diamine and a dibasic carboxylic acid and of which one is now sold under the trade-mark Exton is very useful for my present purpose.

Another protein plastic which may be used is obtained by extracting the protein from the rei'use remaining after the oil has been extracted from soy beans, oiticica nuts. and other protein bearing substances. The extracted protein is properly reacted to form plastic substances. Here it is noted that oiticlca oil may be used as a plasticizer with styrene to make the latter more suitable for my purpose.

Collagen plastics are another protein substance suitable for my purpose. Such plastics -are fibrous. The collagen may be recovered from the from coilee may also be used.

The petroleum plastic derivatives include those gums or resins obtained by the oxidation or controlled polymerization of certain distillates oi petroleum cracking. Thus I may use the commercially known Santoresins" produced by this method. as well as "PctropoP which is a softer type of the same material. These materials are, when used for my purpose, to be mixed with other materials listed above whereby the resultant mass may be shaped by extruding or the like to pro-- vide threads or sheets of materials having desired characteristics. Propane precipitated resins lotion of crude petiole u. may be or other aldehydes, hydrogenates. or chlorin ted either at elevated temperatures or by the addition of metallic halides. For use as rope cores comprising large diameter bars and the like, the ma terials are advantageous. The natural inorganic materials above mentioned may be used in the plac of the organic plastics in certain instances. The glass or the quartz must be made plastic by heat and then it is spun or extruded in fibres and the latter are oriented and brought together to form strands or cores as the case may be.

Plastics comprising nitrogenous condensation products are also suitable for use in the making of various rope elements of the invention. One such plastic is now on the market under the name Nulaminef' Preferably when glass, fused quartz or other materials which may be made into fibres of great tensilestrength are used as a material in the making of ropes, it is incorporated into strands or cores or other elements and such elements may be either solid one piece structures or they may be made up of a number of separate elements. The

filaments, strands or cores comprise a plastic or a combination oi plastics having the inorganic 'fibres embedded therein and oriented to extend ented. The presence of these oriented fibres very greatly increases the tensile strength or the illsments or cores and thus of the ropes into which they may be incorporated.

Bentonite, in especially pure form, may be mixed with water to form it gel. The gel is evap orated and the particles draw toward one another and. become permanently fixed. by their attraction for one another. in strings or tiny fibrils.

These mat together to form a tough coherent film. The bentonite may be extruded in the form of filaments or alter beina formed into sheets may be cut into strips and the latter twisted into his ments. such filaments to be used as above in the iormation of strands or cores; stressing of these sols produces orientation desirable for strenflth. Under the saneral beading or asbestos, I include the fibrous varieties or the mineral ampbibolc,

- closed herein and which are chemically imamascent? waste from tanneries or otherwise. Variou resins the fibrous forms of pyroxene, the mineral crucidolite or the amphibole group and also chrysotilc. The principal varieties or asbestos are anthopyllite, amphibole and serpentine. Asbestos floats of any variety may be used as fillers while the longer fibres may be made into filaments for strands or cores.

Various combinations or the materials disclosed may be used for the purpose oi! regulation resiliency, stillness, bacteria growth, fungus erowth, water-prooiness, controlling the melting or sortening point, control of strength factors, as elasticity, tensile and shear strength, aiding in lubrication and the like. Many of the materials dis- ..as by reason oi? being too brittle and the like my be mixed with other materials and in that way utilized for the characteristics they may 1111-- Dart.

. Formaldehyde and urea resins as well as any chlorinated material (certain synthetic lastics), and the like have germicidal properties and when used with other materials included herein will serve to prevent or arrest bacteria growth and thus decomposition of the filaments or cores due.

filaments or single bar-like elements or consid-.

er'able 'diameter are employed) are oriented. Where preformed structures are employed it is preferred that the molecules oi the filaments be oriented in a direction parallel to the axial centers o! the filaments. That is, the molecules are oriented in a direction parallel to the center or a helical line (the longitudinal center line or the filaments) rather than the parallel relation to a straight line. This is accomplished. by stretchin: the material through a helicfl Thus in my preformed strands or filaments I avoid obstinote internal stresses which cause a wildness oi fibre. The strands, cores or ropes made or the filaments oriented as described will have increased tensile strength and extra resistance to twisting and bending, and will lay in o, rope without opposing stresses tending to open. rope.

In orienting the filaments (whether unread-like or bar-like) they are reduced to the desired diameters by repeated small reduction; obtolned by drawing through successively smaller dies or by repeated stretching. Such reductions take place while the material is in a ductile condition. The preforming and orienting operations may be simultaneously accomplished.

In making the filaments of twisted strips I rather than by extrusion the sheets from which the strips are to be taken are reduced to tho desired thickness by repeated small reductions rather than by a single large reduction. These reductions taire place while the material is heated or wetted (depending on the material beina' used) The finished sheets are cut to strips and the lat- 'tertwistedintofilamentsioruseincoresortbe length of the how of the material oi the sheet represent the longitudinal axis of the strips. Thereafter as the strips are twisted they are heated or wetted- (depending on'the material concerned) and are stretched whereby-to further orient the molecules to have the latteroriented in the direction of the length of the twisted strip and on a bias with respect to that which was the longitudinal axis of the strip prior to the twisting thereof.

Having thus set forth the nature of my invention, what I claim is:

1. In a cable or rope, a strand comprising inner and outer metal elements, said elements transversely circular and all of substantially the same diameter whereby in the assembled strand there are longitudinally extending spaces, and smaller of said rings preformed into the spirals occupied by them in the rope. and said elements or the pisstic material oriented along said spirals.

diameter longitudinally extending filler elements in said spaces and tangently engaging both the inner and outer of said metal elements, and said filler elements of a plastic material characterized by flexibility and resiliency.

2. In a cable or rope, a strand comprising a central metal element, a ring of smaller diameter elements about said central element, a ring of metal elements about said ring of smaller diameter elements and of larger diameter, and said smaller diameter elements of a plastic material characterized by flexibility and resiliency. P 3. In a cable or rope, a strand comprising inner and outer metal elements, said elements thetic chemical material characterized by stretchability and by recovery when stretched whereby to transversely circular and all of substantially the same diameter whereby in theassembied strand there are longitudinally extending spaces, and smaller diameter longitudinally extending filler elements in said spaces and tangently engaging both the inner and outer of said metal elements, and said filler element's of polymerized vinylidene chloride.

4. In a cable or mm. a strand comprising a central metal element, a ring of smaller diame-- ter elements about said central element, a ring of metal elements about said ring of smaller diameter elements and of larger diameter, and said smaller diameter elements of polymerized vinylldene chloride..

5.. In a cable or rope. a strand comprising inner and outer metal elements, said elements transversely circular and all of substantially the same -diameter" whereby in the assembled strand there are longitudinally extending filler elements in said spaces and tangently engaging both the inner outer of said metal elements, said filler elements of a plastic material characterized by flexibility and resiliency, said metal and filler elements preformed into the spirals occupied by them in the I N. "1d

c. In a cable or -rope,-a strand eomprisinga centrarmetai element. a ring or smaller diameter terizedbyilsxibilityand'resilieney.theelements f.

c said filler elements oriented along their spiral line's.

7. A rope core comprising a single strand of layed rope of filaments of a synthetic plastic material having fibre forming characteristics, said filaments preformed into the spirals occupied by them in the core, and said filaments oriented spirally-along the lines on which they are preally supported by said core, said core comprising a smooth surfaced elongated body of a waterrepellent synthetic. chemical material immune to decay through biochemical attack, and said synstretch and not break on tensioning of the wire rope and to be capable of elongating and escaping 'into place from between wire strands of the rope when caught by said strands on bird caging of the mm.

10. In a wire rope. a core and a plurality of strands of wires layed helically about and radially supported by said core, said core compris-,

ing an elongated body of continuous, smooth surfaced filaments layed together, said filaments of a water-repellent synthetic chemical material im- 7 plastic material, wire ropes layed about said core,

each of said ropes including a secondary'coreof a synthetic plastic material and a series of wires chemical attack, said synthetic chemical material,

when in filamentary form, by flexibility and elasticity, said wire ropes and wires under tension about and deforming said cores, and

said synthetic chemical material resilient whereby saidcoresareconstantlytendingtoreturntotheir normal conditions and thus fully supportsaid .wire'rope'sandsaidwires.

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