Abstract:
A rope dispensing system for dispensing a continuous rope from a compressed rope cartridge. The device has a canister for storage of the rope cartridge, a resealable lid with a grommet for passing the rope through the lid, and a replaceable cutting mechanism for cutting the rope. Preferably the rope cartridge is shrink-wrapped to fit within case and keep rope from unraveling.

Description:
PRIORITY/CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/131,100, filed Mar. 10, 2015, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Rope is used by a variety of users for a even larger variety of uses, including but not limited to domestic, backpacking, camping, hiking, boating, fishing, hunting, farming, ranching, gardening, work professions, etc. Historically, users of rope have had to use rope products that have consisted of hand coiled, spooled, or bundled of rope. The term rope used herein generally refers, according to Webster&#39;s dictionary, as being “a large stout cord of strands or fibers or wire twisted or braided together; a long slender strip of material used as a rope; or a row or string consisting of things united by or as if by braiding, twining, or threading. What is needed is a rope system for storing rope in a compact unit with simplified access to the rope and the ability to cut the rope into needed lengths. 
       SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0003]    The purpose of the Summary is to enable the public, and especially the scientists, engineers, and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection, the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The Summary is neither intended to define the inventive concept(s) of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the inventive concept(s) in any way. 
         [0004]    What is disclosed is a rope dispensing system that has a removable, replaceable rope cartridge. The system is referred herein as “Rapid-Rope” or the “Rapid-Rope System”. The Rapid-Rope system is a uniquely designed novel multi-use rope dispenser system, including but not limited to domestic, light industrial and recreational uses. 
         [0005]    The Rapid-Rope system holds and secures rope in a canister that can be dispensed at a desired length and then easily cut by the user. The user simply has to hold the canister containing the rope cartridge, pull the desired length of rope from the grommet dispenser, wrap the rope around the cutting insert, and pull to cut the rope. The canister can be easily stored, for example, in tool boxes, under a seat of a truck, or on a shelf in a work shop. It is anticipated that the Rapid-Rope system will be used with various types and lengths of rope, including Ultimate Tensile Strength (UTS) rope. 
         [0006]    The Rapid-Rope system allows the user to avoid storage of conventional and/or available rope products and the difficulties that arise with use of such rope products, including, for example, tangling, knotting and unraveling. 
         [0007]    As set forth above, the rope contained in (and dispensed from) the Rapid-Rope system is thought to be used for domestic or light industrial purposes, for example use by electricians, communications installers, electrical lineman, and any other profession that utilizes rope in their work or for any task around the house that requires rope. Examples of recreational uses include hunting, fishing, boating, camping, hiking, and backpacking. 
         [0008]    The Rapid-Rope system is a very durable simple product to use and store. The Rapid-Rope system is expected to be provided to a consumer with the cartridge of rope pre-loaded and ready to use upon purchase. The user will simply remove the minimal packaging, pull the rope tip exposed at the opening of the rubber grommet (described below), pull the desired length of rope, and wrap that portion of the rope to be cut around the cutting insert. In a preferred embodiment, as the cartridge of rope is depleted, the user can purchase a Rapid-Rope replacement rope cartridge and load it in the canister. In this embodiment, there will also offer a replacement Rapid-Rope rubber grommet and a replacement Rapid-Rope cutting insert. Alternatively, in a second embodiment the canister itself can be made as a disposable canister, such that when a user has exhausted the supply of rope the user discards the canister. 
         [0009]    Further, in a preferred embodiment the rope cartridge is formed by winding the rope in a precision winder. The rope is wound tightly such that the ends of the rope overlap such that the ends will not unravel or fall away from the cartridge, and thus do not cause unwinding of the cartridge without outside force. In a preferred embodiment the rope is wound using the process of precision coreless winding. The rope is wound into a cartridge of size to fit within a preselected canister. It is thought that in a preferred embodiment that the rope will be wound into a cartridge such that the rope fits tightly into the pre-selected canister. After winding, the cartridge is shrink-wrapped with plastic to maintain its size and shape. In a preferred embodiment, the precision coreless wound rope is dispensed from the center of the cartridge. After a cartridge of rope is exhausted, the user discards the leftover plastic shrink wrap and installs a new cartridge into the canister. 
         [0010]    What is disclosed is a rope dispensing system for dispensing a continuous rope from a compressed, coreless rope cartridge. The dispensing system has a canister and a coreless, wound rope cartridge for dispensing from the canister. The canister generally is of a cylindrical shape, although square box shapes or rectangular box shapes could also be utilized. 
         [0011]    The canister in a preferred embodiment has a closed end and an open end and defines an interior space for receiving the coreless rope cartridge. The canister has a releasable or openable lid configured to close the open end when the lid is closed. The canister has an opening for passage of the rope in a single length through the opening. In a preferred embodiment the opening is located in the lid of the canister. In a preferred embodiment the opening has a grommet positioned in the opening configured to prevent rope that has passed through the opening from retracting back into the canister. In a preferred embodiment the canister has a replaceable cutting mechanism positioned on the exterior of the canister and used for cutting the rope that has been dispensed from said canister. 
         [0012]    The canister lid can be made in a variety of embodiments, including but not limited to a snap-on lid or a threaded lid that engages with threads located on the canister. In a preferred embodiment the replaceable cutting mechanism is attached to the lid. In a further preferred embodiment the replaceable cutting mechanism is an insert having a cutting blade and is attached as a removable section of the lid. In this way the cutting mechanism can be replaced if it becomes damaged or dulled from use. In a preferred embodiment, the replaceable cutting mechanism can be configured to slide into groves in the lid to lock into place or it can snap onto the lid. 
         [0013]    In a preferred embodiment the replaceable cutting mechanism is made up of a blade guard having a generally U-shaped opening in which one of the arms of the blade guard attaches to the lid. A blade is fixedly positioned within said U-shaped blade guard to provide a cutting surface for the rope while the blade guard protects a user&#39;s hands (or other objects that come into contact with the rope dispensing system). 
         [0014]    The rope that is dispensed from the system typically includes nylon rope, hemp rope, polypropylene rope, and polyester rope. This includes, for example 1100 lb UTS ropes. 
         [0015]    Several methods of utilizing a rope dispensing system are also disclosed. These methods include, for example, a method of using a rope dispensing system, having a step of providing a canister containing a coreless rope cartridge to a user. The canister has a generally cylindrical shape defining a hollow interior and comprising a closed bottom and an openable top. The coreless rope cartridge is in generally a cylindrical shape configured for being positioned within the interior of the canister, although the rope cartridge can be provided in whatever shape fits into the canister. The coreless rope cartridge has a shrink wrapped cover or coating. The canister has an opening configured for the passage of a first end of a rope wound into the coreless rope cartridge such that the rope can be pulled as a length from the cartridge. In a preferred embodiment the opening has a grommet configured to allow passage of the rope out of the cartridge. The rope canister has a replaceable cutting mechanism positioned on an exterior of the canister and configured for cutting of said rope. 
         [0016]    The method of using the rope dispenser includes the step of dispensing the rope wound onto said coreless rope cartridge by placing a first end of the rope through the opening in the cartridge, closing the lid of the canister, pulling said rope out of the canister by pulling the rope through the opening. 
         [0017]    In a preferred embodiment the method of dispensing rope includes the step of cutting dispensed rope with the replaceable cutting mechanism in order to provide a section of rope at the user&#39;s desired length. 
         [0018]    In a preferred embodiment the method of using a rope dispensing system includes the step of replacing the rope cartridge in the canister. The step of replacing the rope cartridge in the canister opening said lid on said canister, removing said shrink wrap cover and any remaining rope, placing a cylindrical shrink wrapped rope cartridge comprising a length of rope having a first end and a second end into said canister, placing said first end of said length of rope through said grommet, and closing the lid of the canister. 
         [0019]    In a preferred embodiment one of the disclosed methods includes the step of replacing the replaceable cutting mechanism. In an embodiment the replaceable cutting mechanism is in a U-shape. A first section of the U-shape being a first arm of the U of the shape is configured for interlocking placement in an opening in the lid. The U-shaped cutting mechanism has a cutting blade positioned between the arms of said “U” shape. In this configuration the second arm of said “U” shape is a blade guard. 
         [0020]    In a preferred embodiment, the method of using a rope dispensing system includes a step of cutting rope that has been pulled through the opening from the canister. This step includes positioning a length of rope into said U shaped replaceable cutting mechanism. The rope is positioned generally perpendicular to the U shaped replaceable cutting mechanism and the user forces the rope onto or across the cutting blade to cut the rope. 
         [0021]    Still other features and advantages of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the following detailed description describing preferred embodiments of the inventive concept(s), simply by way of illustration of the best mode contemplated by carrying out the inventive concept(s). As will be realized, the inventive concept(s) is capable of modification in various obvious respects all without departing from the inventive concept(s). Accordingly, the drawings and description of the preferred embodiments are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive in nature. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0022]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the disclosed Rapid-Rope system. 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the canister for the disclosed Rapid-Rope system. 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the lid for the disclosed Rapid-Rope system. 
           [0025]      FIG. 4  is a top view of the lid for the disclosed Rapid-Rope system. 
           [0026]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the lid for the disclosed Rapid-Rope system. 
           [0027]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the lid for the disclosed Rapid-Rope system with the cutting insert removed. 
           [0028]      FIG. 7  is a top view of the lid for the disclosed Rapid-Rope system with the cutting insert removed. 
           [0029]      FIG. 8  is a top view of the lid for the disclosed Rapid-Rope system with the cutting insert installed. 
           [0030]      FIG. 9  is a side view of the cutting insert for the disclosed Rapid-Rope system. 
           [0031]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the cutting insert for the disclosed Rapid-Rope system. 
           [0032]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a shrink-wrapped rope cartridge for the disclosed Rapid-Rope system. 
           [0033]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the compressed rope cartridge for the disclosed Rapid-Rope system. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0034]    The components listed in this section correlate to the drawings submitted concurrently with this application, and are illustrative of the inventive concept(s) disclosed herein. It is thought that additional features and components can be included or substituted without departing from the spirit of the invention. 
         [0035]    Shown in the figures is an embodiment of the disclosed rope dispensing system  2 . The lid  4  fastens to the canister  10 . The rubber grommet  8  and the cutting insert  6  are located in the lid such that the grommet provides a pass through point for the rope  9 . In a preferred embodiment, the lid forms the top of the assembly including the rubber grommet and cutting insert. 
         [0036]    In a preferred embodiment, the lid is fastened to the canister with a snap fit system or is attached via threaded engagement to the canister  18 . In the snap-fit system lid is snapped onto the canister and it is secured. Alternative mechanisms can be used to attach the lid to the canister. 
         [0037]    In a preferred embodiment the cutting insert  6  has a bumper portion  22  and tab portion  26  that provides for protection of a user&#39;s fingers or other exterior object from the blade  20 . The bumper portion and tab form a leg of the cutting insert provided in a u-shape. The cutting blade  20  is positioned in the valley of the U shape with width depicted by space  34  such that material outside of the u-shape is protected from the blade. In a preferred embodiment the cutting insert fits into an opening  36  in the lid. The cutting insert in a preferred embodiment is removable attached to the lid such that the cutting insert covers or closes the opening  36  while forming a unitary (1 piece) lid when attached.  FIG. 9  depicts a view of the cutting insert  7  attached to the lid. 
         [0038]    In a preferred embodiment, the lid is composed of plastic and manufactured by processes including, but not limited, to injection molding or blow molding. The lid can include a hand grip  12  for a user to grasp when removing the lid. The lid can be composed of a variety of materials that do not depart from the spirit of the invention. 
         [0039]    In a preferred embodiment, the cut insert is a molded one-piece replaceable part. In the preferred embodiment, the cutting insert comprises a carbon steel blade over-molded inside the cut insert to insure an exact fit in every production. The carbon steel blade is protected by an over-mold, with a small opening, making the blade less accessible and the rope dispensing system safer for use. The length and width of the blade can vary based on the size, shape, and/or UTS of the rope contained in any given Rapid-Rope system product. 
         [0040]    The cut insert can be made to be replaceable in a preferred embodiment. In this embodiment, an insert replacement part can be simply snapped into place after the original insert is removed. If the cut insert becomes dull due to use, the Rapid-Rope cut insert replacement can be easily installed. 
         [0041]      FIGS. 11 and 12  depict embodiments of the replaceable rope cartridge. In a preferred embodiment the rope  42  is wound into a coreless rope cartridge and then shrink wrapped.  FIG. 11  depicts the rope  42  wound into a coreless cartridge and encapsulated by shrink-wrapping  40 .  FIG. 12  depicts the coreless rope cartridge  44  without shrink wrapping and with an end of the rope protruding from the cartridge and ready to be pulled to be unwound from the cartridge, and thus dispensed. 
         [0042]    The following is a description of how the cut insert is removed and how the Rapid-Rope cut insert replacement is installed in a preferred embodiment: 
         [0043]    1. Grasp the canister in hand and unsnap the lid. 
         [0044]    2. Place the lid on flat surface. 
         [0045]    3. Place fingers on the cut insert closest to the grommet. 
         [0046]    4. Release the catch and push down firmly on the cut insert closest to the grommet. 
         [0047]    5. Discard “old” cut insert. 
         [0048]    6. Slide new Rapid-Rope cut insert into place from inside of lid at the same location the “old” cut insert was removed from. 
         [0049]    7. Push the new Rapid-Rope cut insert in an upward direction until it clicks into place. 
         [0050]    8. Place the lid onto the canister and snap in place. 
         [0051]    9. Ready for use. 
         [0052]    The grommet is located on the top of the lid and is designed to create resistance (or “hold”) on the rope being pulled and/or dispensed from the canister, so that it can be easily cut with the cut insert. The grommet in the depicted embodiment also aids in the container being water resistant. 
         [0053]    The grommet in a preferred embodiment will be made of rubber material and will be manufactured by processes including but not limited to injection molding or blow molding. 
         [0054]    The grommet in a preferred embodiment is a rubber ring is inserted into a hole through the lid, and is collared on all sides to keep the grommet in place. 
         [0055]    In a preferred embodiment, the grommet is made to be replaceable. When and if the grommet becomes warn or damaged due to use, a grommet replacement can be easily installed. 
         [0056]    The following is a description of how the grommet is removed and how the Rapid-Rope rubber grommet replacement is installed: 
         [0057]    1. Unsnap lid from the canister. 
         [0058]    2. Place the lid on flat surface and push the grommet in a downward direction until it is comes out of the collar inside the lid. 
         [0059]    3. Discard the “old” grommet. 
         [0060]    4. Install new Rapid-Rope rubber grommet by pushing into place from inside of the lid and into the molded collar until secure. 
         [0061]    5. Make sure the flat side of Rapid-Rope rubber grommet replacement is facing the cut insert. 
         [0062]    6. Place the lid onto the canister and snap in place. 
         [0063]    7. Ready for use. 
         [0064]    The canister securely holds a cartridge of rope and fastens securely to the lid. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the canister  16  in a preferred embodiment is designed with straight side-walls to accept a pre-assembled cartridge of rope. The canister can be made, for example, such that cartridges of rope are replaced within the canister or such that the entire canister is disposable when the rope supply in the canister is exhausted. 
         [0065]    In a preferred embodiment, the top of the canister has a snap fit system. Alternatively the canister could be made, for example, with hinged engagement to the cartridge or with threaded engagement with the cartridge. Any variety of attachment mechanism can be used to attach the lid to the canister. 
         [0066]    In a preferred embodiment, the rope cartridge is wound (via precision coreless winding process) in a specified size to fit in a pre selected cartridge. The rope cartridge can be made to be replaceable within the canister such that a new rope cartridge can be placed into a canister when the prior rope cartridge is exhausted. 
         [0067]    In a preferred embodiment, the rope material contained in the rope cartridge is produced using various types and lengths and Ultimate Tensile Strength (UTS) rope. 
         [0068]    The rope cartridge will be packaged in shrink-wrap material to maintain the integrity of the original winding process; the rope cartridge will maintain its original form due to the shrink wrapping while in use so that it will it continue to fit securely in the cartridge until the rope is entirely dispensed. 
         [0069]    When and if the rope cartridge is running low or is empty, the canister can be refilled with a new Rapid-Rope rope cartridge. The original and replacement rope cartridges are packaged specifically for the Rapid-Rope rope dispensing system. 
         [0070]    The following is a description of how the rope cartridge is removed and how the Rapid-Rope rope cartridge replacement is installed: 
         [0071]    1. Rope cartridge out (empty) or low. 
         [0072]    2. Unsnap lid from canister and set lid aside. 
         [0073]    3. Discard empty shrink wrap. 
         [0074]    4. Insert new rope cartridge into canister with tail of rope standing out of the top or new rope cartridge. 
         [0075]    5. Insert tail of rope through grommet and pull a one-inch length of rope out. 
         [0076]    6. Place lid onto canister and snap in place. 
         [0077]    7. Ready for use. 
         [0078]    In a preferred embodiment, the lid assembly includes a hand grip. The hand grip is located around the circumference of the lid and is in place for the aid of easily loosening and tightening of the lid. The hand grip is contoured for easy grip of the lid by the user. The half moon shape of the lid is designed to fit into the hand of the user easily. The hand grip is designed to protect the entire lid assembly. The design of the hand grip also adds an aesthetic attribute to the lid. 
         [0079]    While the presently disclosed inventive concept(s) is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof have been shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the inventive concept(s) to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the inventive concept(s) as defined in the claims of any future filed non-provisional application.