Patent ID: 8197074
Filing Date: 2012-06-12
Classification: B29C,D04C,D07B,G02B

Abstract:
1. An omnidirectionally reflective rope, comprising: a. a central cylindrical low-density polymeric closed cell foam core operable to float over water for a prolonged time; b. a cylindrical reflective braided sleeve comprising three or more narrow width reflective strips that are braided at a shallow cylindrical braid angle, said cylindrical reflective braided sleeve being operable to surround said central cylindrical braided rope core thereby providing omnidirectional reflectivity; c. said cylindrical reflective braided sleeve being substantially coated with a conformal transparent polymeric abrasion resistant water shedding coating; d. said narrow width reflective strips comprising a woven or knitted narrow width strip and a flexible nylon retroreflective sheet sewn thereon, said woven or knitted narrow width strip having a show surface, said flexible retroreflective nylon sheet comprising a flexible retroreflective sheet thermally bonded onto a nylon mesh strip, said nylon mesh strip being sewn onto said show surface of said narrow width reflective strip; e. said flexible retroreflective sheet having retroreflectors bonded thereto with a transparent bond layer; f. said transparent polymeric abrasion resistant water shedding coating having a refractive index lower than that of said retroreflectors; and g. said transparent polymeric abrasion resistant water shedding coating polymer is a member selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, silicone, polymethyl methacralate, and polyvinyl acetate; and h. said polyurethane is dissolved in a solvent and sprayed on the said cylindrical reflective braided sleeve; whereby said low-density rope exhibits flexibility in combination with abrasion resistance and water shedding properties when exposed to salt water or fresh water floats above water line and omnidirectionally reflects incoming light due to water shedding properties and is operative to delineate or otherwise increase visibility thereof.