WO2019231946A1

WO2019231946A1 - Removable line guard

Info

Publication number: WO2019231946A1
Application number: PCT/US2019/034244
Authority: WO
Inventors: Edward Ratigan
Original assignee: Fjord, Inc.
Priority date: 2018-05-30
Filing date: 2019-05-29
Publication date: 2019-12-05

Abstract

A removable marine line cover for protecting nautical lines, ropes, and other cordage from abrasive contact including a polymeric liner layer attached to the inner surface of a cover body with a hook and loop releasable fastener portion is provided. In use the sheath body is wrapped around a nautical line to take advantage of abrasive resistance conveyed by the sheath body and polymeric liner layer to the underlying line while maintaining the ability to inspect the line for an extended period of time by virtue of the hook and loop releasable attachment portion without structural degradation of the liner layer.

Description

REMOVABLE LINE GUARD

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention herein pertains to a removable cover, and particularly pertains to a removable sheath for nautical lines that prevents abrasive wear on the associated ropes while maintaining the ability to inspect the same during use.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART AND OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION

Marine vessels often rely on ropes to secure them to a dock, tow, or anchor, which is a method of attachment that has been known in the art since antiquity. These ropes are generally positioned around or through structures such as cleats, bullnoses, bits, chocks, staples or the like. After the vessel is tied off, the motion of the water causes the vessel to rock or move, resulting in ropes that wear, chafe, or otherwise abrade against the support structure which over time compromises the rope holding capacity. Degradation or breakage of these ropes can lead to the vessel drifting away from an assigned location, potentially causing damage to the vessel as well as surrounding structures and neighboring vessels. To prevent the degradation of these mooring lines, they are periodically replaced at generally high cost to the vessel owner. The ropes that are generally utilized in large marine vessels and for towing these types of vessels, for example by tugboats, are typically of a large diameter with robust structural construction, resulting in a large and expensive rope. Additionally, the marine environment, particularly for ocean-going vessels, produces extreme cases such as ice, wind, and salt, all which can factor in the degradation of ropes as well as the rope support structure. Attempts to alleviate this problem have been tried in the past with limited success. Coating of ropes has not solved the problem (see Abrasion and Fibre Fatigue in High Performance Synthetic Ropes for Ship Escort and Berthing, Suntec Convention Center, ITS 2008, Singapore, Day 3, Paper 4). Coating of the support structures has not worked (see Maritime Application Rope Savers, commercially offered by Fluoron, Inc., at www.fluoron.com/bullnose_covers.htm, last visited 01 November 2016). The situation is particularly exacerbated in circumstances where vessels are adrift at sea, particularly when they are near rocky coastlines that can cause significant damage and even loss of life. The process of establishing emergency towing connections can be extremely difficult and dangerous, and becomes even more so in high seas. Fortunately, the prior art teaches systems for use in just these circumstances. For example U.S. Pat. Pub. Nos. US2017/0361905 and US2017/0361906, incorporated herein by reference in their respective entireties, disclose an emergency vessel towing system and method and an emergency ship arrest system and method, respectively. Bridles 14 and 16 in these types of systems are portions of rope designed to alleviate the stress and strain between two or more points on the line. Unfortunately, they are typically frictionally engaged with a mounting structure like a chock, bollard or bullnose to facilitate robust attachment of the mooring. While this association makes sense from a connection standpoint, it is severely detrimental to the structural stability of the rope and any protective treatment it may include (see for example protected section 26). This is an important shortcoming in the prior art to address, as these systems are utilized (hopefully) infrequently, and thus may remain stored or unused for months or even years. In that time, the structural integrity of the rope that may be relied on in an emergency situation can become compromised. To combat this dangerous, and potentially fatal, decomposition, scheduled inspection of the rope is absolutely necessary. Unfortunately, the types of coverings taught in the prior art, embodied in the references mentioned above, are a permanent application to the associated rope, and thus are not conducive to the desired regimented inspection schedule necessary to maintain this vital equipment.

Thus, in view of the problems and disadvantages associated with prior art devices, the present invention was conceived and one of its objectives is to provide a removable marine line cover.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide a removable cover or sheath that defines greater rigidity than the associated nautical line.

It is still another objective of the present invention to provide a removable marine line cover that includes a woven fabric and a polymeric covering. It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide a removable marine line cover including a releasable attachment portion.

It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a removable marine line cover including a semi-permanent releasable attachment portion.

It is still a further objective of the present invention to provide a removable marine line cover with a releasable attachment portion defined by hook and loop fastener(s).

It is yet a further objective of the present invention to provide a removable marine line cover with a releasable attachment portion extending the substantial longitudinal length of the line cover.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide a removable marine line cover with an interior surface at least partially covered with a polymeric coating, and preferably covering substantially all of the interior surface except for the releasable attachment portion.

Various other objectives and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art as a more detailed description is set forth below.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aforesaid and other objectives are realized by providing a removable marine line cover formed from a sheath body defined by a woven nylon with a herringbone weaving pattern and a polymeric coating on the interior surface that covers substantially all of the sheath body. The removable marine line cover includes a releasable attachment portion which extends the substantial longitudinal length of the line cover that is not obscured by the polymeric coating and defines portions of hook and loop fasteners. In use the sheath body is wrapped around a nautical line to take advantage of abrasive resistance conveyed by the sheath body and polymeric coating to the underlying line while maintaining the ability to inspect the line for an extended period of time by virtue of the hook and loop releasable attachment portion. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 shows an elevated perspective view of a removable marine line cover about an exemplary nautical line;

Fig. 2 pictures an elevated side view of the removable marine line cover of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3 depicts a top plan view of the removable marine line cover of Fig. 1 ; and

Fig. 4 demonstrates an elevated end view of the removable line cover of Fig. 1, the opposing end defining a mirror image thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT AND OPERATION OF THE INVENTION

For a better understanding of the invention and its operation, turning now to the drawings, Figs. 1-4 illustrate perspective, side, top, and end views of preferred removable line cover 10 formed at least by cover body 11 and liner layer 12. The intended use of preferred line cover 10 is for use as a marine line cover, for example used in connection with any line, rope, or cordage typically utilized in the marine industry. For the purpose of illustrating this intended use, but not to be construed as a limitation, exemplary marine line 13 is presented in Fig. 1 in phantom form. The use of the term“marine”, particularly in reference to marine line cover 10, is intended to provide context to the typical operating environment of cover 10, and although it indicates the primary intended use of cover 10, the use of the illustrative term should not be construed as a limitation on the recited structure that comprises marine cover 10. As would be understood, marine cover 10 is preferably wrapped, cloaked, or otherwise urged around marine line 13 to surround, encase, or otherwise enclose marine line 13 therein. In this manner, marine cover 10 defines a generally cylindrical shape with a substantially circular cross-section during use, forming a hollow interior sized and shaped to receive the associated marine line 13 therein. Given the variety of line diameters and weights deployed in the personal and commercial marine industry, the exact size and diameter of marine cover 10 may vary to accommodate the specific marine line therein.

As depicted throughout the Figures, preferred cover body 11 is defined by a woven material selected for its resistance to degradation, abrasion, and rot due to excessive exposure to abrasion and moisture (particularly both fresh and salt water) over time. The preferred material which defines cover body 11 is a polymeric material such as nylon, although it should be understood that other polymeric and non-polymeric materials may also satisfy these criteria, and thus should be considered within the scope of the instant disclosure. One preferred embodiment of such a nylon material is woven with an eight inch (20.32 cm) width (+/- 3/16) defining at least 500 ends, and more preferably about 545 ends (+/- 5 ends). Another embodiment of the preferred nylon material is woven with a twelve inch (30.48 cm) width (+/- 3/16) defining at least 800 ends, and more preferably about 815 ends (+/- 5 ends). Similarly, a conventional weave pattern may be used for simplicity, efficiency of production, and structural stability related to cover body 11 , but other woven and non- woven orientations of the material that makes up cover body 11 may serve as well, and thus should be considered within the scope of the instant disclosure. However, it is desirable that both the material and the construction define abrasion resistance while providing a willing substrate upon which to adhere liner layer 12, particularly including a measure of absorbance to the same to ensure no disassociation from cover body 11 occurs. In one preferred embodiment, the weave pattern of marine cover body 11 is defined as a herringbone pattern (not shown).

Preferred cover body 11 may also include releasable attachment portion 14. As would be understood,“releasable attachment” refers to the ability to compel detachment of portion 14 without the need of additional tools beyond the dexterity and strength associated with human hands, and usually can be removed with a single removal motion. In one embodiment, releasable attachment portion 14 is defined by corresponding hook and loop elements located on opposingly oriented sections of cover body 11. In one embodiment, releasable attachment portion 14 extends the substantial longitudinal length of the line cover 10, regardless of what such a distance might actually be. It is considered advantageous to selectively disassociate releasable attachment portion 14, thereby exposing a portion of marine line 13 when disposed within marine cover 10. In the preferred embodiment, releasable attachment portion is formed by Velcro™ brand hook 87S-0599, a material with an increased modulus of adhesion relative to the conventional hook and loop elements. Therefore, it is considered a“semi-permanent” releasable attachment portion, contrasting with the conventional definition of “releasable attachment” provided above, in that this embodiment of releasable attachment portion 14 defines a modulus of adhesion of at least 0.3 inch-pound units as measured by ASTM D5170-98, and more preferable defines a modulus of adhesion of about 1.0 inch-pounds units as measured by ASTM D5170-98. The definition of “semi-permanent” is also intended to contrast with the releasable attachment definition in that the semi-permanent attachment portion does not dissociate in a single removal stroke unless tools, machinery or the like are utilized to do so. This material is not to be considered a mere design choice, as its use here is advantageous specifically due to the operating environment of marine cover 10, which favors a more robust attachment of marine cover 10 than would otherwise be achieved with conventional fasteners while still maintaining the ability of marine cover 10 to be removable from marine line 13.

While marine cover 10 is designed to provide resistance to degradation, abrasion, and rot of marine lines, the extreme operating environment consistent with use on the high seas, particularly in emergency cases, may cause for added protection. In the preferred embodiment of marine cover 10, liner layer 12 is positioned about inner surface 15 of cover body 11 to further protect marine line 13 from negative impetuses, including but not limited to abrasion imparted from marine cover 10 itself. Inner surface 15 is preferably treated with a coating to further reduce the coefficient of friction between inner surface 15 and nautical line 13, as well as making line cover 10 more impervious to moisture. Usually polymeric in nature, preferred liner layer 12 is defined by polyurethane, and more preferably is defined by the elastomer known as PureCast 603, commercially available from Industrial Polymer Corporation. This high performance, two- component liquid castable polyurethane elastomer is insensitive to moisture, exhibits low shrinkage, and cures in place over time, meaning that removable marine line cover 10 will form to inner surface 15 of cover body 11 on which it is deployed, producing a more structurally stable abrasion shield than taught by the prior art. In the preferred embodiment, liner layer 12 contacts substantially all of inner surface 15 of cover body 11 , but does not preclude releasable attachment portion 14, maintaining the ability for users to open and inspect marine line 13, or even move marine cover 10 from marine line 13 if so desired without damaging the integrity of cover 10. This is a notable feature, as prior art nautical lines are occasionally encased in polymeric encapsulation, but in order to inspect the underlying cordage, the exterior treatment must be structurally compromised, effectively rendering the exterior treatment inoperable. This activity, at great expense to the user, is an untenable solution to the problem only the instant invention solves. Additional embodiments may include UV resistant additives for additional protection against sun exposure, and color additives for source-identification. In an alternate embodiment, cover body 11 carries a liner layer on both the interior surface as described above and an exterior surface (not shown), further preventing abrasive contact on the exterior surface of marine line cover 10. In this alternate embodiment, the exterior liner layer treatment contacts substantially all of outer surface of cover body 11, but does not preclude releasable attachment portion 14, maintaining the ability for users to open and inspect marine line 13, or even move marine cover 10 from marine line 13 if so desired without damaging the integrity of cover 10.

A method of protecting marine lines for extended periods of time from abrasion and the elements while permitting intermittent inspection of the underlying line without compromising the structural integrity of the marine line cover is provided and includes providing removable marine line cover 10 as described above, treating inner surface 15 of cover body 11 with liner layer 12, positioning marine line 13 within the hollow center of marine cover 10, and fastening releasable attachment portion 14 to protect marine line 13 from the elements, abrasions from the operating environment, and abrasions from cover body 11 via liner layer 12. Additional steps may include curing liner layer 12 in situ , disengaging releasable attachment portion 14, and inspecting marine line 13 without compromising the structural integrity of marine line cover 10 and releasable attachment portion 14.

The illustrations and examples provided herein are for explanatory purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

I claim:

1. A removable marine line cover comprising a liner layer carried by an inner surface defined by a cover body, and a releasable attachment portion connected to the cover body, wherein the releasable attachment portion facilitates inspection of a marine line positioned within the removable marine line cover without compromising the structural integrity of the liner layer.

2. The removable marine line cover of claim 1 wherein the cover body is defined by a polymeric material.

3. The removable marine line cover of claim 2 wherein the cover body is defined by nylon.

4. The removable marine line cover of claim 3 wherein the cover body is defined by woven nylon.

5. The removable marine line cover of claim 4 wherein the woven nylon is defined by a herringbone pattern.

6. The removable marine line cover of claim 1 wherein the releasable attachment portion is defined as a semi-permanent releasable attachment portion.

7. The removable marine line cover of claim 1 wherein the releasable attachment portion is defined as a hook and loop style fastener.

8. The removable marine line cover of claim 7 wherein the releasable attachment portion is defined as a semi-permanent releasable attachment portion.

9. The removable marine line cover of claim 1 wherein the liner layer is defined by an elastomeric material.

10. The removable marine line cover of claim 9 wherein the liner layer is defined by a polyurethane coating.

11. The removable marine line cover of claim 10 wherein the polyurethane coating covers substantially all of the inner surface except for the releasable attachment portion.

12. A removable marine line cover comprising a liner layer carried by an inner surface defined by a cover body, and a semi-permanent releasable attachment portion connected to the cover body, wherein the semi-permanent releasable attachment portion facilitates inspection of a marine line positioned within the removable marine line cover without compromising the structural integrity of the liner layer.

13. The removable marine line cover of claim 12 wherein the cover body is defined by a polymeric material.

14. The removable marine line cover of claim 12 wherein the cover body is defined by nylon.

15. The removable marine line cover of claim 14 wherein the cover body is defined by woven nylon.

16. The removable marine line cover of claim 15 wherein the woven nylon is defined by a herringbone pattern.

17. The removable marine line cover of claim 16 wherein the semi-permanent releasable attachment portion is defined as a hook and loop style fastener extending longitudinally relative to a major axis defined by the removable marine line cover a substantial length of said removable marine line cover.

18. The removable marine line cover of claim 17 wherein the liner layer is defined by an elastomeric material.

19. The removable marine line cover of claim 17 wherein the liner layer is defined by a polyurethane coating.

20. The removable marine line cover of claim 9 wherein the polyurethane coating covers substantially all of the inner surface except for the releasable attachment portion.