METHOD FOR PRODUCING A STROPS

Description

Field of invention

[0001] This patent application relates to a method of manufacturing a strop.

[0002] A "strop" means a cable which has a first eye, a second eye and an elongated central body which extends from the first eye to the second eye, the strop comprising a central core which is surrounded by a protective tubular sheath.

[0003] The present invention will find, in a non-exclusive manner, advantageous applications in the fields of marine and pleasure boating, in particular by equipping sailboats to produce shrouds, straps, textile shackles and lifelines, for example. State of the art

[0004] A first type of method for manufacturing a two-eye strop is known, which comprises a first step of winding a wire between two fixed points to form a ring.

[0005] The wire is wound several times around the two fixed points, each new turn increasing the mechanical strength of the strop.

[0006] It is also possible to adjust the length of the ring formed by the windings of the wire, and therefore of the final strop, by adjusting the center distance of the two fixed points.

[0007] The ring obtained after the first winding step is held evenly by adhesive tape.

[0008] Then, during a second sheathing step, the ring is introduced into a tubular sheath so that the ring has two ends which each protrude from the sheath, these two ends forming the two eyes of the strop.

[0009] This first type of process involves a third step which consists of protecting both eyes from the strop, for example by means of an additional sheath.

[0010] Such a method of strop manufacture does not allow for a satisfactory finish of both eyes.

[0011] In fact, the protective sheath of the two eyes must be connected to the main sheath of the strop; such a connection can affect the uniformity of the holding of the wire bundle which forms the core of the strop.

[0012] A second type of method is known for manufacturing a strop whose sheath successively has, from one end to the other, a first stub, a first hole, a first inter-hole portion, a second hole, a central section, a third hole, a second inter-hole portion, a fourth hole and a second stub.

[0013] A "stub" is a free end section of the sheath.

[0014] This second type of process comprises a first filling step which consists of manually passing a wire into the sheath to form the core of the strop, so that the wire forms a ring which extends partly inside the sheath, which comes out of the first hole and the second hole of the sheath to form the first eye, and which comes out of the third hole and the fourth hole of the sheath to form the second eye.

[0015] For example, the first step is to successively manipulate the wire so that the wire enters the sheath through the third hole, exits through the second hole, enters through the first hole and then exits through the fourth hole.

[0016] The first step is repeated several times to increase the number of turns formed by the wire, each new turn increasing the mechanical strength of the strop.

[0017] Also, the second type of method according to the prior art comprises a second finishing step which comprises a first phase consisting of inserting the free end of the first stub into the sheath through the second hole to cover the core of the first eye by the first inter-hole portion of the sheath, and a second phase consisting of inserting the free end of the second stub into the sheath through the third hole to cover the core of the second eye by the second inter-hole portion of the sheath.

[0018] This second type of process allows for a neat finish of the strop, with a single sheath covering both the two eyes and the long, central body of the strop.

[0019] On the other hand, the manual production of this second type of process generates high production costs which make this type of strop suitable for competition sailing or luxury sailboats.

[0020] Also known from EP0487805A1 is a method of manufacturing a strop which comprises a first eye, a second eye and an elongated central body which extends from the first eye to the second eye, the strop comprising a core surrounded by a tubular protective sheath. Statement of the invention

[0021] The present invention aims in particular to resolve the drawbacks of the aforementioned prior art by proposing a method for manufacturing a strop which makes it possible to produce a strop having a neat single-sheath finish and a reduced manufacturing cost.

[0022] This objective, as well as others which will become apparent upon reading the following description, is achieved with a method of manufacturing a strop which comprises a first eye, a second eye and an elongated central body which extends from the first eye to the second eye, the strop comprising a core surrounded by a tubular protective sheath which successively has a first stub, a first hole, a first inter-hole portion, a second hole, a central section, a third hole, a second inter-hole portion, a fourth hole and a second stub, method characterized in that it comprises at least: a first priming step which consists of passing a belt through the sheath, so that the belt forms a closed ring which comes out of the first hole and the second hole of the sheath to draw the first eye, and which comes out of the third hole and the fourth hole of the sheath to draw the second eye, a second connecting step which consists of connecting a coil of a wire on the belt by means of a fastener, and a third step of filling the sheath which consists of driving the belt in rotation to unwind the coil of wire and form the core of the strop.

[0023] Thus, the method according to the invention makes it possible to multiply the number of wire windings which constitute the core of the strop, simply by rotating the belt passed through the sheath during the first priming step.

[0024] According to other optional features of the invention, taken alone or in combination: at the end of the third filling step, the wire that is connected on the reel is cut and the fastener that connects the wire on the belt is detached, so that the wire that forms the core of the strop has two ends that are free, these two free ends being connected together by a new fastener; the method comprises a fourth finishing step, which is carried out following the third step, and which comprises a first phase consisting of inserting the free end of the first snag into the sheath through the second hole to cover the core of the first eye by the first inter-hole portion of the sheath, and a second phase consisting of inserting the free end of the second snag into the sheath through the third hole to cover the core of the second eye by the second inter-hole portion of the sheath.This step covers both eyes of the strop with the same sheath that covers the body of the strop, and closes the sheath; the fourth finishing step includes a third phase that consists of extending the first stub of the sheath beyond the second hole and cutting off the portion of the first stub that protrudes from the sheath, and a fourth phase that consists of extending the second stub of the sheath beyond the third hole and cutting off the portion of the second stub that protrudes from the sheath; the belt is tensioned between a first rotating element that extends through the first eye and a second rotating element that extends through the second eye, at least one of the two rotating elements being a motor rotating element adapted to rotate the belt during the third step of the method.This feature of the method makes it possible to drive the belt mechanically, in particular by means of a motorized rotating element, to increase the number of windings of wire which form the core of the strop; the center distance between the first rotating element and the second rotating element is adjustable to allow the length of the strop to be adjusted; the belt is formed by said wire which is connected to itself; the wire which forms the core of the strop is made of continuous fiber; the wire which forms the core of the strop is composed of a plurality of filaments which form a strand; the wire which forms the core of the strop is composed of a plurality of filaments which form a braid. Brief description of the drawings

[0025] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from reading the description which follows, with reference to the appended figures, which illustrate: [ Fig. 1]: a front perspective view of a strop produced by the manufacturing method according to the invention; [ Fig. 2 ]: a sectional view of the strop of the figure 1 , following axis 2-2 of the figure 1 , which comprises a peripheral sheath and a core; [ Fig. 3 ]: a schematic top view of the strop during the first initiation step of the method according to the invention; [ Fig. 4 ]: a schematic top view of the strop during the second connection step of the method according to the invention; [ Fig. 5 ]: a schematic top view of the strop during the third filling step of the method according to the invention; [ Fig. 6 ]: a front perspective view of the strop during the third filling step of the method according to the invention; [ Fig. 7]: a schematic top view of the strop during the third filling step of the method according to the invention, where the portion of the wire which is connected to the spool is cut; [ Fig. 8 ]: a schematic top view of the strop during the third filling step of the method according to the invention, where the two free ends of the wire are connected together by a new fastener; [ Fig. 9 ]: a front perspective view of the strop during the fourth finishing step of the method according to the invention; [ Fig. 10 ]: a schematic top view of the strop during the first initiation step of the method according to an alternative embodiment of the invention where the belt is formed by the wire which forms the core of the strop; [ Fig. 11 ]: a schematic top view of the strop during the second connecting step of the method according to the variant embodiment of the invention of the figure 10 .

[0026] Throughout these figures, identical or similar elements are identified by identical or similar reference signs. Detailed description of embodiments of the invention

[0027] The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a strop 10 such as that shown in FIG. figure 1 .

[0028] The strop 10 comprises a first eye 12a, a second eye 12b and a central elongated body 14 which extends longitudinally from the first eye 12a to the second eye 12b.

[0029] It will be noted that strop 10 has a radial median symmetry plane.

[0030] As can be seen in the figure 2 , the strop 10 comprises an internal core 16 which is surrounded by a tubular protective sheath 18.

[0031] The core 16 of the strop 10 is formed from a plurality of strands of a wire 20.

[0032] The term "yarn" means both a thread formed from a continuous fiber of a synthetic or natural material, or a strand, or a braid formed from a plurality of filaments, or a warp or any type of link.

[0033] According to a preferred example of implementation of the invention, the yarn 20 is made from a polyethylene fiber, such as the fiber known under the trade name Dyneema ®<.

[0034] Sheath 18 presents successively, from left to right, the figure 3 , a first stub 22a, a first hole 24a, a first inter-hole portion 26a, a second hole 28a, a central section 30, a third hole 28b, a second inter-hole portion 26b, a fourth hole 24b and a second stub 22b.

[0035] “Stub” means a free end section of the sheath 18 which will remain free following the first priming step, as described below.

[0036] In reference to the figure 3 , the manufacturing method according to the invention comprises a first priming step.

[0037] The first priming step consists of passing a drive belt 32 into the sheath 18, so that the belt 32 forms a closed ring which exits the first hole 24a and the second hole 28a of the sheath 18 to draw the first eye 12a, and which exits the third hole 28b and the fourth hole 24b of the sheath 18 to draw the second eye 12b.

[0038] Still referring to the figure 3 , the belt 32 is tensioned between a first rotating element 34a which extends through the first eye 12a, along a first axis A of rotation, and a second rotating element 34b which extends through the second eye 12b, along a second axis B of rotation.

[0039] It will be noted that the longitudinal center distance between the first rotating element 34a and the second rotating element 34b is adjustable to allow the length of the strop 10 to be adjusted.

[0040] For this purpose, the belt 32 is formed by a link which is manipulated so that, successively, it enters the sheath 18 through the third hole 28b, exits through the second hole 28a, passes around the first rotating element 34a, enters the sheath 18 again through the first hole 24a, exits the sheath 18 through the fourth hole 24b and then passes around the second rotating element 34b.

[0041] The first priming step can be carried out by means of a needle (not shown) which makes it possible to drive the belt 32 manually through the sheath 18 as described previously.

[0042] Once the belt 32 has passed through the sheath 18, the belt 32 is closed on itself, for example by a knot or a splice or any other type of connection.

[0043] In reference to the figure 4, the method according to the invention comprises a second connecting step which is carried out following the first priming step and which consists of connecting a coil 36 of wire 20 to the belt 32 by means of a fastener 38.

[0044] The spool 36 is mounted in rotation on its axis C to be unwound when the wire 20 is pulled.

[0045] By way of non-limiting example, the spool 36 can be mounted on a motorized shaft to facilitate its unwinding, and the spool 36 can also be associated with a brake which introduces tension onto the wire 20.

[0046] The fastener 38 may be formed by a knot, a splice, a glue dot, an adhesive tape or any other type of connection.

[0047] The second connecting step of the method is followed by a third step of filling the sheath 18, which consists of driving the belt 32 in rotation around the first rotating element 34a and the second rotating element 34b, to unwind the spool 36 of wire 20 and form the core 16 of the strop 10, as can be seen in figures 5 And 6 .

[0048] For this purpose, the first rotating element 34a is a motor rotating element which is adapted to drive the belt 32 in rotation.

[0049] Preferably, the first rotating element 34a is driven in rotation by an electric motor (not shown), for example.

[0050] Each turn made by the belt 32 increases by two strands the core 16 of the central body 14 of the strop 10 and by one strand the core 16 of the first eye 12a and the second eye 12b.

[0051] Thus, each new turn of the belt 32 increases the mechanical resistance of the strop 10.

[0052] At the end of the third filling stage, with reference to the figure 7 , the portion of the wire 20 which is connected to the spool 36 is cut and the fastener 38 which connects the wire 20 to the belt 32 is detached, so that the wire 20 which forms the core 16 of the strop 10 has two ends which are free.

[0053] These two free ends are connected to each other by a new fastener 39 illustrated in the figure 8 , to close the loop of wire 20 which forms the core 16 of the strop 10.

[0054] The new fastener 39 may be formed by a knot, a splice, a glue dot, an adhesive tape or any other type of connection.

[0055] Also, still during the third filling step, the belt 32, which is freed from the wire 20, is removed from the sheath 18 to leave only the core 16 formed by the wire 20 in the sheath 18.

[0056] Also, the method comprises a fourth finishing step which is carried out following the third filling step and which consists of covering the core 16 of the first eye 12a and the second eye 12b with the sheath 18.

[0057] For this purpose, with reference to the figure 9 , the fourth finishing step comprises a first phase which consists of inserting the free end of the first stub 22a into the sheath 18 through the second hole 28a of the sheath 18 to cover the core 16 of the first eye 12a by the first inter-hole portion 26a of the sheath 18.

[0058] The first stub 22a is exited from the sheath 18 through a first outlet orifice 40a of the sheath 18 which is located beyond the second hole 28a, then the end of the first stub 22a which protrudes from the sheath 18 is cut.

[0059] Likewise, the fourth finishing step comprises a second phase which consists of inserting the free end of the second stub 22b into the sheath 18 through the third hole 28b of the sheath 18 to cover the core 16 of the second eye 12b by the second inter-hole portion 26b of the sheath 18.

[0060] The second stub 22b is exited from the sheath 18 through a second outlet orifice 40b of the sheath 18 which is located beyond the third hole 28b, then the end of the second stub 22b which protrudes from the sheath 18 is cut.

[0061] In order to prevent the sheath 18 from sliding on the core 16 of the strop 10, the fourth finishing step comprises a third sewing phase which consists of making a first seam 42a, or an equivalent locking means, between the second hole 28a and the first orifice 40a of the sheath 18.

[0062] Similarly, the third sewing phase consists of making a second seam 42b, or an equivalent blocking means, between the third hole 28b and the second orifice 40b of the sheath 18.

[0063] Thus, following the fourth finishing step, the method according to the invention makes it possible to obtain a strop 10 such as that shown in figure 1 , with a sheath 18 which is completely closed.

[0064] According to an alternative embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 10 and 11 , the belt 32 is formed directly by the wire 20 of the coil 36 which is intended to form the core 16 of the strop 10.

[0065] Thus, according to this variant embodiment of the method, the first priming step consists of manipulating a free end of the wire 20 so that, successively, the wire 20 enters the sheath 18 through the third hole 28b, exits through the second hole 28a, passes around the first rotating element 34a, enters the sheath 18 again through the first hole 24a, exits the sheath 18 through the fourth hole 24b and then passes around the second rotating element 34b.

[0066] Once the wire 20 has passed through the sheath 18, the wire 20 is closed on itself by a fastener 38 to form the belt 32, as can be seen in figure 11 .

[0067] It will be understood that, according to this variant embodiment, the second connecting step which consists of connecting a coil 36 of wire 20 to the belt 32 is no longer necessary.

[0068] Finally, this variant embodiment includes a third step of filling the sheath 18 and a fourth finishing step which are identical to the third step and the fourth step described previously.

[0069] The method according to the invention makes it possible in particular to mechanize the third step of filling the sheath 18 to form the core of the strop 10, which makes it possible to considerably reduce the manufacturing time compared to a method in which the filling step is carried out manually.

[0070] In fact, the filling of the sheath 18 is carried out by driving the belt 32, this drive being able to be motorized and automated.

[0071] Thus, the method according to the invention makes it possible to reduce human intervention times.

[0072] Furthermore, the method according to the invention makes it possible to industrialize the manufacture of a strop 10 of the type described above.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a strop (10) which includes a first eyelet (12a), a second eyelet (12b) and a slender central body (14) which extends from the first eyelet (12a) up to the second eyelet (12b), the strop (10) comprising a core (16) surrounded by a protective tubular sheath (18) which successively has a first stub (22a), a first hole (24a), a first inter-hole portion (26a), a second hole (28a), a central section (30), a third hole (28b), a second inter-hole portion (26b), a fourth hole (24b) and a second stub (22b), which method is characterised in that it comprises at least: • a first priming step which consists in fitting a belt (32) or a wire (20) respectively into the sheath (18), so that the belt (32) or the wire (20) respectively forms a closed ring which projects from the first hole (24a) and from the second hole (28a) of the sheath (18) to create the first eyelet (12a), and which projects from the third hole (28b) and from the fourth hole (24b) of the sheath (18) to create the second eyelet (12b), • a second connection step which respectively consists in connecting a reel (36) of a wire (20) on the belt (32) by means of an attachment (38), or in closing the wire (20) on itself by means of an attachment (38), and • a third step of filling the sheath (18) which respectively consists in driving the belt (32) in rotation to unwind the wire (20) reel (36) or said wire (20) to form the core (16) of the strop (10).

2. The method for manufacturing a strop (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that, at the end of the third, filling, step, the wire (20) that connected on the reel (36) is cut and the attachment (38) which connects the wire (20) on the reel (32) is detached, so that the wire (20) which forms the core (16) of the strop (10) has two ends which are free, these two free ends being connected together by a new attachment (39).

3. The method for manufacturing a strop (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it includes a fourth, finishing, step, which is carried out following the third step, and which comprises a first phase consisting in inserting the free end of the first stub (22a) into the sheath (18) through the second hole (28a) to cover the core of the first eyelet (12a) by the first inter-hole portion (26a) of the sheath (18), and a second phase consisting in inserting the free end of the second stub (22b) into the sheath (18) through the third hole (28b) to cover the core of the second eyelet (12b) by the second inter-hole portion (26b) of the sheath (18).

4. The method for manufacturing a strop (10) according to claim 3, characterised in that the fourth finishing step includes a third phase which consists in making the first stub (22a) come out of the sheath (18) beyond the second hole (28a) and in cutting the portion of the first stub (22a) which projects from the sheath (18), and a fourth phase which consists in making the second stub (22b) come out of the sheath (18) beyond the third hole (28b) and in cutting the portion of the second stub (22b) which projects from the sheath (18).

5. The method for manufacturing a strop (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the belt (32) is tensioned between a first rotating element (34a) which extends through the first eyelet (12a) and a second rotating element (34b) which extends through the second eyelet (12b), at least one of the two rotating elements (34a, 34b) being a driver rotating element adapted to drive the belt (32) in rotation during the third step of the method.

6. The method for manufacturing a strop (10) according to claim 5, characterised in that the axis spacing between the first rotating element (34a) and the second rotating element (34b) is adjustable to allow adjusting the length of the strop (10).

7. The method for manufacturing a strop (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the wire (20) that forms the core (16) of the strop (10) is made of a continuous fibre.

8. The method for manufacturing a strop (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the wire (20) that forms the core (16) of the strop (10) is composed of a plurality of filaments which form a strand.

9. The method for manufacturing a strop according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the wire (20) that forms the core (16) of the strop (10) is composed of a plurality of filaments which form a braid.