Rope having an end connector segment comprising two rope-branches for making noosed connections

A rope (1) according to the invention comprises a main rope segment (4), a branching position (5) and an end connector segment (6), wherein the end connector segment comprises a first rope-branch (11) and a second rope-branch (12). The first rope-branch (11) comprises a noosed first rope-branch portion (21N) for making a noosed connection with a thickened rope portion, or a thickened first rope-branch portion for making a noosed connection with a noosed rope portion. The second rope-branch (12) comprises a noosed second rope-branch portion for making a noosed connection with a thickened rope portion, or a thickened second rope-branch portion (22T) for making a noosed connection with a noosed rope portion. The rope according to the invention allows for many various favourable manners of connecting the rope to other ropes and/or to other types of external objects.

The invention relates to a rope, wherein the rope along a longitudinal rope direction of the rope towards a longitudinal rope end of the rope successively comprises at least a main rope segment, a branching position and an end connector segment, wherein the end connector segment comprises a first rope-branch and a second rope-branch, wherein each of the first rope-branch and the second rope-branch at said branching position is branched off from the main rope segment. The invention further relates to use of such a rope, as well as to a method of manufacturing such a rope.

The rope according to the invention may be used offshore as well as onshore, for example as a lifting rope, a towing rope, a mooring rope, or the like.

A rope of the type as initially identified above is known from WO 2012/150469 A2. See for example the rope 100 or the rope 200 of FIG. 9 of the Abstract of WO 2012/150469 A2. It is seen that said rope 100 has the end connector segment 116 having the first rope-branch-eye 50 and the second rope-branch-eye 52. Similarly, said rope 200 has the end connector segment 216 having the first rope-branch-eye 250 and the second rope-branch-eye 252. It is further seen that a connecting component in the form of the shown connecting spool 58 can be used to connect the ropes 100 and 200 together end-to-end.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an alternative rope, which allows for alternative favourable manners of connecting the rope to other ropes and/or to other types of external objects.

For that purpose the invention provides a rope according to the appended independent claim1, use of such a rope according to the appended independent claim10, and a method of manufacturing such a rope according to the appended independent claim12. Specific embodiments of the invention are set forth in the appended dependent claims2-9and11.

Hence, the invention provides a rope, wherein the rope along a longitudinal rope direction of the rope towards a longitudinal rope end of the rope successively comprises at least a main rope segment, a branching position and an end connector segment, wherein the end connector segment comprises a first rope-branch and a second rope-branch, wherein each of the first rope-branch and the second rope-branch at said branching position is branched off from the main rope segment,characterized in that the first rope-branch comprises:a noosed first rope-branch portion for making a noosed connection with a thickened rope portion, ora thickened first rope-branch portion for making a noosed connection with a noosed rope portion;and in that the second rope-branch comprises:a noosed second rope-branch portion for making a noosed connection with a thickened rope portion, ora thickened second rope-branch portion for making a noosed connection with a noosed rope portion.

Such an end connector segment, which comprises such a first rope-branch and such a second rope-branch, allows for many various favourable manners of connecting a rope according to the invention to other ropes and/or to other types of external objects.

Naturally, as used herein, a “noosed portion” of a rope (or of a rope-branch) is referring to an adjustable loop (eye) of the rope (or of the rope-branch), wherein said adjustable loop is tightened as the rope (or the rope-branch) is pulled when a rope having a thickened portion has been inserted through the adjustable loop, so that a tight and secure connection is formed in that the rope having the thickened portion is trapped in the tightened loop. Logically, as used herein, a “noosed connection” refers to such a tight and secure connection. Similarly, as used herein, a “thickened portion” of a rope (or of a rope-branch) refers to a thickened portion of a rope that is insertable through such a noosed portion of a rope to form such a noosed connection.

In a first preferable embodiment of a rope according to the invention:the rope comprises a first plurality of strands and a second plurality of strands,each strand of said first plurality of strands is extending continuously at least from within the main rope segment to within the first rope-branch,said first plurality of strands is at least partially forming either said noosed first rope-branch portion or said thickened first rope-branch portion, as the case may be,each strand of said second plurality of strands is extending continuously at least from within the main rope segment to within the second rope-branch, andsaid second plurality of strands is at least partially forming either said noosed second rope-branch portion or said thickened second rope-branch portion, as the case may be.

This first preferable embodiment of a rope according to the invention allows to manufacture the rope, including its specifically configured end connector segment, of a more or less continuously stranded rope construction, providing the advantages of a strong, flexible, soft and compact rope construction.

A first main class of embodiments of a rope according to the invention is characterized in that said first rope-branch comprises said noosed first rope-branch portion, and in that said second rope-branch comprises said thickened second rope-branch portion.

A rope according to said first main class of embodiments allows to easily realize a rope-eye at the longitudinal rope end of the rope, and to easily effectuate connection of the rope via the realized rope-eye. That is, a rope according to said first main class of embodiments allows for a use of the rope, wherein a noosed connection is made between said noosed first rope-branch portion of the first rope-branch, on the one hand, and said thickened second rope-branch portion of the second rope-branch, on the other hand, so that the first rope-branch and the second rope-branch together are forming a rope-eye at said longitudinal rope end of the rope, wherein said rope-eye is suitable for connecting the rope to external objects.

A second main class of embodiments of a rope according to the invention is characterized in that said first rope-branch comprises said thickened first rope-branch portion, and in that said second rope-branch comprises said thickened second rope-branch portion.

A third main class of embodiments of a rope according to the invention is characterized in that said first rope-branch comprises said noosed first rope-branch portion, and in that said second rope-branch comprises said noosed second rope-branch portion.

As used herein, an attainable maximum first effective length of the first rope-branch equals a vertical first length along the first rope-branch as measured in a first reference condition of the rope, wherein in said first reference condition the first rope-branch, as well as its noosed first rope-branch portion or its thickened first rope-branch portion, as the case may be, are as much as possible in a first plumb line configuration, in which the very end of the noosed first rope-branch portion or of the thickened first rope-branch portion, as the case may be, corresponds to the lowest part of the noosed first rope-branch portion or of the thickened first rope-branch portion, as the case may be, and is considered to be a concentrated first plumb mass point of the first plumb line configuration, and wherein said vertical first length is measured from the branching position up to said very end of the noosed first rope-branch portion or of the thickened first rope-branch portion, as the case may be.

Analogously, as used herein, an attainable maximum second effective length of the second rope-branch equals a vertical second length along the second rope-branch as measured in a second reference condition of the rope, wherein in said second reference condition the second rope-branch, as well as its noosed second rope-branch portion or its thickened second rope-branch portion, as the case may be, are as much as possible in a second plumb line configuration, in which the very end of the noosed second rope-branch portion or of the thickened second rope-branch portion, as the case may be, corresponds to the lowest part of the noosed second rope-branch portion or of the thickened second rope-branch portion, as the case may be, and is considered to be a concentrated second plumb mass point of the second plumb line configuration, and wherein said vertical first length is measured from the branching position up to said very end of the noosed second rope-branch portion or of the thickened second rope-branch portion, as the case may be.

In further preferable embodiments of a rope according to the invention, the attainable maximum first effective length of the first rope-branch is higher than 105% of the attainable maximum second effective length of the second rope-branch, more preferably higher than 110% of said attainable maximum second effective length, and yet more preferably higher than 120% of said attainable maximum second effective length, and yet more preferably higher than 150% of said attainable maximum second effective length, and yet more preferably higher than 200% of said attainable maximum second effective length, and yet more preferably higher than 300% of said attainable maximum second effective length.

In other further preferable embodiments of a rope according to the invention, the attainable maximum second effective length of the second rope-branch is higher than 105% of the attainable maximum first effective length of the first rope-branch, more preferably higher than 110% of said attainable maximum first effective length, and yet more preferably higher than 120% of said attainable maximum first effective length, and yet more preferably higher than 150% of said attainable maximum first effective length, and yet more preferably higher than 200% of said attainable maximum first effective length, and yet more preferably higher than 300% of said attainable maximum first effective length.

All ropes according to the last-mentioned further preferable embodiments and the last-mentioned other further preferable embodiments have in common that such a rope has mutually unequal maximum effective lengths of the first rope-branch and the second rope-branch. Such mutually unequal maximum effective lengths further contribute to providing many various favourable manners of connecting a rope according to the invention to other ropes and to other types of external objects.

Now, reference is first made to the rope1shown inFIGS.1,2A,2B,3A,3B. The reference signs used inFIGS.1,2A,2B,3A,3Bare referring to the above-mentioned parts and aspects of the invention, as well as to related parts and aspects, in the following manner.1rope2longitudinal rope direction3longitudinal rope end4main rope segment5branching position6end connector segment8rope-eye9lifting lug10external object (e.g. a hoisting load)11first rope-branch12second rope-branch21N noosed first rope-branch portion22T thickened second rope-branch portionL1attainable maximum first effective lengthL2attainable maximum second effective length

Based on the above introductory description, including the brief description of the drawing figures, and based on the above-listed reference signs used inFIGS.1,2A,2B,3A,3B, the examples ofFIGS.1,2A,2B,3A,3Bare readily self-explanatory. The following brief additional explanations are given ofFIGS.3A,3B, which illustrate a use according to the invention of the rope1according to the invention.

InFIGS.3A,3Ba noosed connection has been made between the noosed first rope-branch portion21N of the first rope-branch11, on the one hand, and the thickened second rope-branch portion22T of the second rope-branch12, on the other hand, so that the first rope-branch11and the second rope-branch12together are forming the rope-eye8at the longitudinal rope end3of the rope1.FIG.3Billustrates a situation, in which, before said noosed connection was made, an end portion of the longer first rope-branch11had been passed through the lifting lug9of an external object in the form of the shown hoisting load10.

Reference is now made toFIGS.4A,4B, which show the rope101comprising the main rope segment104, the branching position105and the end connector segment106. The end connector segment106comprises the first rope-branch111, which has the thickened first rope-branch portion121T, and the second rope-branch112, which has the thickened second rope-branch portion122T.FIG.4Badditionally shows another rope110, which has two noosed rope portions110N at its two opposite rope ends, respectively. InFIG.4Ba noosed connection has been made between the thickened first rope-branch portion121T of the rope101and one of the two noosed rope portions110N of the rope110while another noosed connection has been made between the thickened second rope-branch portion122T of the rope101and the other of the two noosed rope portions110N of the rope110.

Reference is now made toFIGS.5A,5B, which show the rope201comprising the main rope segment204, the branching position205and the end connector segment206. The end connector segment206comprises the first rope-branch211, which has the noosed first rope-branch portion221N, and the second rope-branch212, which has the noosed second rope-branch portion122N.FIG.5Badditionally shows another rope210, which has two thickened rope portions210T at its two opposite rope ends, respectively. InFIG.5Ba noosed connection has been made between the noosed first rope-branch portion221N of the rope201and one of the two thickened rope portions210T of the rope210, while another noosed connection has been made between the noosed second rope-branch portion222N of the rope201and the other of the two thickened rope portions210T of the rope210.

Reference is now made toFIGS.6A,6B, which show the rope301comprising the main rope segment304, the branching position305and the end connector segment306. The end connector segment306comprises the first rope-branch311, which has the noosed first rope-branch portion321N, and the second rope-branch312, which has the thickened second rope-branch portion322T.FIG.6Badditionally shows another rope310, which has a thickened rope portion310T at one of its two opposite rope ends, and a noosed rope portion310N at the other of its two opposite rope ends. InFIG.6Ba noosed connection has been made between the noosed first rope-branch portion321N of the rope301and the thickened rope portion310T of the rope310, while another noosed connection has been made between the thickened second rope-branch portion322T of the rope301and the noosed rope portion310N of the rope310.

Reference is now made toFIGS.7A,7B,7C,7Dwhich illustrate an example of a first embodiment of a method of manufacturing a rope according to the invention.

The rope1″ ofFIG.7Acomprises a main rope segment4″ of, for example, braided or laid rope strands. The rope1″ further comprises the branching position5and a rope end segment6″. In the shown example, the rope end segment6″ comprises twelve rope strands14. It is noted that the construction of the rope end segment6″ previously was identical to and integral with the rope construction of the main rope segment4″. In fact, the twelve rope strands14of the rope end segment6″ as shown inFIG.7Awere obtained by mutually disentangling (for example un-braiding or un-laying) the rope strands of said previously identical and integral rope construction.

The rope1′ ofFIG.7Bhas the same main rope segment4″ and the same branching position5as the rope1″ ofFIG.7A. However, the rope1′ ofFIG.7Bhas a rope end segment6′, which is different from the rope end segment6″ of the rope1″ ofFIG.7A. That is, the rope1′ ofFIG.7Bhas two rope end portions11′ and12′. Each of said rope end portions11′ and12′ has been obtained by mutually entangling (for example braiding or laying) six of the twelve rope strands14of the rope1″ ofFIG.7A. Purely to illustratively elucidate this, the twelve mutually disentangled rope strands14inFIG.7Aare shown in two separately arranged groups, each having six mutually disentangled rope strands14.

The rope1ofFIG.7C, which is the same as the rope1ofFIGS.1-5, may be obtained by transforming the rope end portion11′ of the rope1′ ofFIG.7Binto the first rope-branch11having the noosed first rope-branch portion21N, and by transforming the rope end portion12′ of the rope1′ ofFIG.7Binto the second rope-branch12having the thickened second rope-branch portion22T. Said transformations can be performed by many various methods, including many various methods known in the art, for making such a noosed first rope-branch portion21N and such a thickened second rope-branch portion22T.

It is noted that the mutually unequal lengths L1and L2of the two rope-branches11and12of the rope1(seeFIGS.2A,2B) may for example be obtained by considerably shortening the rope strands14used for the rope end portion12′ inFIG.7Bprior to transforming the rope end portion12′ into the second rope-branch12ofFIG.7C.

FIG.7Dshows another example of a rope that may be obtained from the rope1′ ofFIG.7B. The rope401ofFIG.7Dcomprises the main rope segment404, the branching position405and the end connector segment406. The end connector segment406comprises the first rope-branch411, which has the noosed first rope-branch portion421N, and the second rope-branch412, which has the thickened second rope-branch portion422T. The rope401ofFIG.7Dmay be obtained by transforming the rope end portion11′ of the rope1′ ofFIG.7Binto the first rope-branch411having the noosed first rope-branch portion421N, and by transforming the rope end portion12′ of the rope1′ ofFIG.7Binto the second rope-branch412having the thickened second rope-branch portion422T. It is seen that in the example ofFIG.7Dthe attainable maximum second effective length of the second rope-branch412is higher than the attainable maximum first effective length of the first rope-branch411.

Reference is now made toFIGS.8A,8B, which illustrate an example of a second embodiment of a method of manufacturing a rope according to the invention, more specifically a method of manufacturing the rope501ofFIG.8B.

FIG.8Ashows two separate first and second ropes501A and501B, respectively. The first rope501A comprises the noosed first rope-branch portion521N. The rope501B comprises the thickened second rope-branch portion522T. Each of the first and second ropes501A and501B can be manufactured by many various methods.

The rope501ofFIG.8Bis obtained by splicing an end portion of a main rope segment of the rope501B into an intermediate portion of a main rope segment of the rope501A in such manner that the rope501has the shown main rope segment504, the shown branching position505and the shown end connector segment506having the shown two rope-branches511and512, wherein the first rope-branch511comprises the noosed first rope-branch portion521N of the first rope501A as the noosed first rope-branch portion521N of the rope501, and wherein the second rope-branch512comprises the thickened second rope-branch portion522T of the second rope501B as the thickened second rope-branch portion522T of the rope501.

It is noted that many various splicing techniques may be applied for said splicing of the end portion of the main rope segment of the rope501B into the intermediate portion of the main rope segment of the rope501A.

Reference is now made toFIGS.9A,9B, which illustrate an example of a third embodiment of a method of manufacturing a rope according to the invention, more specifically a method of manufacturing the rope601ofFIG.9B.

FIG.9Ashows two separate first and second ropes601A and601B, respectively. The first rope601A comprises the noosed first rope-branch portion621N. The rope601B comprises the thickened second rope-branch portion622T. Each of the first and second ropes601A and601B can be manufactured by many various methods.

The rope601ofFIG.9Bis obtained by splicing an end portion of a main rope segment of the rope601A into an intermediate portion of a main rope segment of the rope601B in such manner that the rope601has the shown main rope segment604, the shown branching position605and the shown end connector segment606having the shown two rope-branches611and612, wherein the first rope-branch611comprises the noosed first rope-branch portion621N of the first rope601A as the noosed first rope-branch portion621N of the rope601, and wherein the second rope-branch612comprises the thickened second rope-branch portion622T of the second rope601B as the thickened second rope-branch portion622T of the rope601.

It is noted that many various splicing techniques may be applied for said splicing of the end portion of the main rope segment of the rope601A into the intermediate portion of the main rope segment of the rope601B.

Reference is now made toFIGS.10A,10B, which illustrate an example of a fourth embodiment of a method of manufacturing a rope according to the invention, more specifically a method of manufacturing the rope701ofFIG.10B.

FIG.10Ashows a rope701′ of multiple load-bearing sub-ropes741A,741B,742A,742B within an outer jacket731.

The rope701ofFIG.10Bis obtained by coupling the sub-ropes741A,741B together and by coupling the sub-ropes742A,742B together, in such manner that the rope701has the shown main rope segment704, the shown branching position705and the shown end connector segment706having the shown two rope-branches711and712, wherein the first rope-branch711comprises the shown noosed first rope-branch portion721N of the rope701, and wherein the second rope-branch712comprises the shown thickened second rope-branch portion722T of the rope701.

It is noted that many various coupling techniques may be applied for said coupling the sub-ropes741A,741B together and for said coupling the sub-ropes742A,742B together. Said many various coupling techniques may comprise many various splicing techniques for splicing the sub-ropes741A,741B into one another and for splicing the sub-ropes742A,742B into one another. Said many various coupling techniques may further comprise many various techniques for forming the noosed first rope-branch portion721N and for forming the thickened second rope-branch portion722T.

Reference is now made toFIGS.11A,11B, which illustrate a rope according to the invention, wherein the rope is similar to the rope ofFIG.1, however wherein the embodiment of the noosed first rope-branch portion of the rope ofFIGS.11A,11Bis different from that of the rope ofFIG.1.

In the examples ofFIGS.1,5A,6A,7C,7D,8A,8B,9A,9B,10Bit is seen that each time a noosed portion of the rope concerned is of a type in which the line of the adjustable loop that forms the noosed portion is transversely running through itself in a transversely slidable manner. This is a known embodiment of a noosed portion of a rope for making a noosed connection with a thickened portion of a rope.

The rope801ofFIGS.11A,11Bcomprises the main rope segment804, the branching position805and the end connector segment806. The end connector segment806comprises the first rope-branch811, which has the noosed first rope-branch portion821N, and the second rope-branch812, which has the thickened second rope-branch portion822T. The difference between the noosed first rope-branch portion821N of the rope801ofFIGS.11A,11Band the noosed portion21N of the rope1ofFIG.1is that the noosed first rope-branch portion821N is not of the known type in which the line of the adjustable loop that forms the noosed portion is transversely running through itself in a transversely slidable manner. Instead, the line of the adjustable loop that forms the noosed portion821N of the rope801ofFIGS.11A,11Bis coaxially running through itself in a coaxially slidable manner. Also this coaxially slidable embodiment is a known embodiment of a noosed portion of a rope for making a noosed connection with a thickened portion of a rope.

The difference between the shown situations ofFIGS.11A and11Bis that inFIG.11Bthe adjustable loop that forms the noosed portion821N of the rope801is in a more tightened condition than inFIG.11A.

It is further noted that each of the above-mentioned examples of a method of manufacturing a rope according to the invention (said examples being illustrated byFIGS.7,8,9,10) can be used to manufacture a rope according to the above-mentioned “first preferable embodiment” of a rope according to the invention. As mentioned in the introduction of the present disclosure, said “first preferable embodiment” of a rope is characterized in that:the rope comprises a first plurality of strands and a second plurality of strands,each strand of said first plurality of strands is extending continuously at least from within the main rope segment to within the first rope-branch,said first plurality of strands is at least partially forming either said noosed first rope-branch portion or said thickened first rope-branch portion, as the case may be,each strand of said second plurality of strands is extending continuously at least from within the main rope segment to within the second rope-branch, andsaid second plurality of strands is at least partially forming either said noosed second rope-branch portion or said thickened second rope-branch portion, as the case may be.

If so manufactured, the respective ropes shown inFIGS.7,8,9,10have the following features.

For the rope1ofFIG.7C, the main rope segment4and the first rope-branch11are each containing said first plurality of strands, while the main rope segment4and the second rope-branch12are each containing said second plurality of strands.

For the rope401ofFIG.7D, the main rope segment404and the first rope-branch411are each containing said first plurality of strands, while the main rope segment404and the second rope-branch412are each containing said second plurality of strands.

For the rope501ofFIG.8B, the main rope segment504and the first rope-branch511are each containing said first plurality of strands, while the main rope segment504and the second rope-branch512are each containing said second plurality of strands.

For the rope601ofFIG.9B, the main rope segment604and the first rope-branch611are each containing said first plurality of strands, while the main rope segment604and the second rope-branch612are each containing said second plurality of strands.

For the rope701ofFIG.10B, the main rope segment704and the first rope-branch711are each containing said first plurality of strands, while the main rope segment704and the second rope-branch712are each containing said second plurality of strands.

Similarly, the respective ropes shown inFIGS.4,5,6,11may be manufactured to have the following features.

For the rope101ofFIGS.4A-4B, the main rope segment104and the first rope-branch111are each containing said first plurality of strands, while the main rope segment104and the second rope-branch112are each containing said second plurality of strands.

For the rope201ofFIGS.5A-5B, the main rope segment204and the first rope-branch211are each containing said first plurality of strands, while the main rope segment204and the second rope-branch212are each containing said second plurality of strands.

For the rope301ofFIGS.6A-6B, the main rope segment304and the first rope-branch311are each containing said first plurality of strands, while the main rope segment304and the second rope-branch312are each containing said second plurality of strands.

For the rope801ofFIGS.11A-11B, the main rope segment804and the first rope-branch811are each containing said first plurality of strands, while the main rope segment804and the second rope-branch812are each containing said second plurality of strands.

It is remarked that the above-mentioned examples do not limit the invention, and that various alternatives are possible within the scope of the appended claims.

For example, many various types of embodiments of the noosed first rope-branch portion and of the noosed second rope-branch portion are possible. Similarly, many various types of embodiments of the thickened first rope-branch portion and of the thickened second rope-branch portion are possible. Such a thickened rope-branch portion may for example be formed by a line being knotted together, which can be done in many various manners. In lieu of such a knot formed by a line being knotted together, or in addition to such a knot, it is also possible to form a thickened rope-branch portion from less soft materials, such as by assembling parts of plastic and/or metal with the rope line.

In the claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. A single unit may fulfill the functions of several items recited in the claims. For the purpose of clarity and a concise description, features are disclosed herein as part of the same or separate embodiments, however, it will be appreciated that the scope of the invention may include embodiments having combinations of all or some of the features disclosed. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures can not be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.