Method for manufacturing a strop
Patent Information
- Application Number
- EP2023707497
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-02-18
- Filing Date
- 2023-02-17
- Publication Date
- 2024-12-25
- Estimated Expiration
- 2043-02-17
AI Technical Summary
Existing methods for manufacturing strops, particularly those used in marine and yachting applications, face challenges in achieving a neat single-sheath finish and high production costs, with manual processes being time-consuming and expensive.
A method involving a first priming step where a strap forms a closed ring through a sheath, a second linking step connecting a coil of wire with a clip, and a third filling step where the belt is rotated to unwind and form the core, allowing for increased windings and mechanization of the process to reduce costs and time.
This method enables the production of strops with a neat single-sheath finish and significantly reduces manufacturing costs by mechanizing the process, increasing efficiency and reducing human intervention.
Smart Images
Figure 1.1
Abstract
Description
DESCRIPTION Title: Method for manufacturing a strop Scope of the invention
[0001] This patent application relates to a method for manufacturing a strop. [2]A "strop" is understood to mean a cable which has a first eye, a second eye and a long 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. [3]The present invention will find advantageous applications in the fields of marine and recreational boating, in particular in equipping sailboats to make shrouds, loops, textile shackles and lifelines, for example. State of the art [4]A first type of manufacturing process for a two-eyed strop is known, which includes a first step of winding a wire between two fixed points to form a ring. [5]The wire is wrapped in several turns around the two fixed points, each new turn increasing the mechanical strength of the strop. [6]Also, it is possible to adjust the length of the ring formed by the windings of the wire, and therefore of the final strop, by playing with the center-to-center distance of the two fixed points. [7]The ring obtained as a result of the first winding step is held evenly by adhesive tape. [8]Then, during a second sheathing stage, the ring is inserted 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. [9]This first type of process includes a third step which consists of protecting both eyes of the strop, for example by means of an additional sheath.
[0010] Such a method of manufacturing strop does not allow for a satisfactory finish on both eyes.
[0011] Indeed, the protective sheath of the two eyes must be connected to the main sheath of the strop; such a connection can impair the homogeneity of the hold of the wire bundle that forms the core of the strop.
[0012] A second type of manufacturing process for a strop is known, the sheath of which
[0013] presents successively, from one end to the other, a first stump, 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 stump.
[0014] The term "chicot" refers to a free end section of the sheath.
[0015] This second type of process involves a first filling step which consists of manually passing a wire through the sheath to form the core of the strop, so that the wire draws 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.
[0016] For example, the first step consists of successively manipulating 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.
[0017] 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.
[0018] Also, the second type of process according to the prior art includes a second finishing stage which includes a first phase consisting of inserting the free end of the first stump into the sheath through the second hole to cover the soul 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 stump into the sheath through the third hole to cover the soul of the second eye by the second inter-hole portion of the sheath.
[0019] This second type of process allows for a neat finish of the strop, in which a single sheath covers both the two eyes and the long central body of the strop.
[0020] On the other hand, the manual production of this second type of process generates high production costs which makes this type of strop suitable for competitive sailing or luxury sailboats. Description of the invention
[0021] The present invention aims in particular to resolve the disadvantages of the aforementioned prior art by proposing a method for manufacturing a strop which makes it possible to produce a strop with a neat single-sheath finish and a reduced manufacturing cost.
[0022] This objective, as well as others which will become apparent from the following description, is achieved with a method for manufacturing a strop which comprises a first eye, a second eye and a long central body extending from the first eye to the second eye, the strop comprising a core surrounded by a protective tubular sheath which successively presents a first snag, 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 snag, a 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 loop 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 linking step which consists of attaching a spool of wire to the belt using a fastener, and • a third step of filling the sheath which consists of driving the belt in rotation to unwind the spool of thread and form the core of the strop.
[0023] Thus, the process according to the invention makes it possible to multiply the number of wire windings that constitute the core of the strop, simply by rotating the belt passed through the sheath during the first priming stage.
[0024] Depending on other optional features of the invention, taken alone or in combination:
[0025] - at the end of the third filling stage, the wire which is attached to the spool is cut and the attachment which connects the wire to the belt is detached, so that the wire which forms the core of the strop has two ends which are free, these two free ends being connected to each other by a new attachment;
[0026] - the process includes 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 stump into the sheath through the second hole to cover the core of the first eye with the first inter-hole portion of the sheath, and a The second phase consists of inserting the free end of the second stump into the sheath through the third hole to cover the core of the second eye with the second inter-hole portion of the sheath. This step allows both eyes of the strop to be covered with the same sheath that covers the body of the strop, and the sheath to be closed;
[0027] - the fourth finishing stage includes a third phase which consists of bringing the first stump out of the sheath beyond the second hole and cutting the portion of the first stump that protrudes from the sheath, and a fourth phase which consists of bringing the second stump out of the sheath beyond the third hole and cutting the portion of the second stump that protrudes from the sheath;
[0028] - the belt is tensioned between a first rotating element which extends through the first eye and a second rotating element which extends through the second eye, at least one of the two rotating elements being a motorized rotating element adapted to drive the belt in rotation during the third step of the process. This feature of the process makes it possible to drive the belt mechanically, in particular by means of a motorized rotating element, to increase the number of wire windings which form the core of the strop;
[0029] - the center distance between the first rotating element and the second rotating element is adjustable to allow adjustment of the strop length;
[0030] - the belt is formed by the said wire which is connected to itself;
[0031] - the thread that forms the core of the strop is made of continuous fiber;
[0032] - the thread that forms the core of the strop is composed of a plurality of filaments that form a strand;
[0033] - the thread that forms the core of the strop is composed of a plurality of filaments that form a braid. Brief description of the drawings
[0034] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, with reference to the attached figures, which illustrate:
[0035] [Fig. 1]: a front perspective view of a strop produced by the manufacturing process according to the invention;
[0036] [Fig. 2]: a cross-sectional view of the strop of figure 1, along axis 2-2 of figure 1, which includes a peripheral sheath and a core;
[0037] [Fig. 3]: a schematic top view of the strop during the first priming step of the process according to the invention;
[0038] [Fig. 4]: a schematic top view of the strop during the second bonding step of the process according to the invention;
[0039] [Fig. 5]: a schematic top view of the strop during the third filling step of the process according to the invention;
[0040] [Fig. 6]: a front perspective view of the strop during the third filling step of the process according to the invention;
[0041] [Fig. 7]: a schematic top view of the strop during the third filling step of the process according to the invention, where the portion of the wire that is connected to the spool is cut;
[0042] [Fig. 8]: a schematic top view of the strop during the third filling step of the process according to the invention, where the two free ends of the wire are connected together by a new attachment;
[0043] [Fig. 9]: a front perspective view of the strop during the fourth finishing step of the process according to the invention;
[0044] [Fig. 10]: a schematic top view of the strop during the first priming step of the process according to a variant of the invention where the belt is formed by the yarn which forms the core of the strop;
[0045] [Fig. 11]: a schematic top view of the strop during the second bonding step of the process according to the variant embodiment of the invention of figure 10.
[0046] Throughout all these figures, identical or similar elements are identified by identical or similar reference symbols. Detailed description of embodiments of the invention
[0047] The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a strop 10 such as that shown in figure 1.
[0048] The strop 10 has a first eye 12a, a second eye 12b and a central long-slender body 14 which extends longitudinally from the first eye 12a to the second eye 12b.
[0049] Note that strop 10 has a radial median symmetry plane.
[0050] As can be seen in Figure 2, the strop 10 comprises an internal core 16 which is surrounded by a protective tubular sheath 18.
[0051] The core 16 of the strop 10 is formed of a plurality of strands of a thread 20.
[0052] The term "thread" refers to 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.
[0053] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the yarn 20 is made from a polyethylene fiber, such as the fiber known under the trade name Dyneema®.
[0054] The sheath 18 presents successively, from left to right in figure 3, a first stump 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 stump 22b.
[0055] The term "stump" refers to a free end section of the sheath 18 which will remain free following the first priming step, as described below.
[0056] With reference to Figure 3, the manufacturing process according to the invention includes a first priming step.
[0057] The first priming step consists of passing a drive belt 32 through the sheath 18, so that the belt 32 forms a closed ring which comes out of the first hole 24a and the second hole 28a of the sheath 18 to draw the first eye 12a, and which comes out of the third hole 28b and the fourth hole 24b of the sheath 18 to draw the second eye 12b.
[0058] With further reference to Figure 3, the belt 32 is stretched 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.
[0059] Note that the longitudinal center distance between the first rotating element 34a and the second rotating element 34b is adjustable to allow adjustment of the length of the strop 10.
[0060] 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.
[0061] The first priming step can be carried out using a needle (not shown) which allows the belt 32 to be driven manually through the sheath 18 as described previously.
[0062] 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.
[0063] With reference to figure 4, the method according to the invention includes a second linking step which is carried out following the first priming step and which consists of linking a spool 36 of wire 20 to the belt 32 by means of a fastener 38.
[0064] The spool 36 is mounted to rotate on its axis C so that it is unwound when the wire 20 is pulled.
[0065] By way of non-limitation, 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 on the wire 20.
[0066] The fastener 38 can be formed by a knot, a splice, a dot of glue, an adhesive tape or any other type of connection.
[0067] The second bonding step of the process 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.
[0068] For this purpose, the first rotating element 34a is a motor rotating element which is adapted to drive the belt 32 in rotation.
[0069] Preferably, the first rotating element 34a is driven in rotation by an electric motor (not shown), for example.
[0070] 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 of the second eye 12b.
[0071] Thus, each new turn of the belt 32 increases the mechanical resistance of the strop 10.
[0072] At the end of the third filling stage, with reference to 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.
[0073] These two free ends are connected together by a new attachment 39 illustrated in figure 8, to close the loop of wire 20 which forms the core 16 of the strop 10.
[0074] The new fastener 39 can be formed by a knot, a splice, a dot of glue, an adhesive tape or any other type of connection.
[0075] Also, still during the third filling stage, 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.
[0076] Also, the process includes 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.
[0077] To this end, with reference to Figure 9, the fourth finishing step includes a first phase which consists of inserting the free end of the first stump 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.
[0078] The first stump 22a is brought out of the sheath 18 through a first exit orifice 40a of the sheath 18 which is located beyond the second hole 28a, then the end of the first stump 22a which protrudes from the sheath 18 is cut.
[0079] Similarly, the fourth finishing step includes a second phase which consists of inserting the free end of the second stump 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.
[0080] The second stump 22b is brought out of the sheath 18 through a second exit orifice 40b of the sheath 18 which is located beyond the third hole 28b, then the end of the second stump 22b which protrudes from the sheath 18 is cut.
[0081] In order to prevent the sheath 18 from slipping on the core 16 of the strop 10, the fourth finishing step includes 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.
[0082] Similarly, the third sewing phase consists of making a second seam 42b, or an equivalent locking means, between the third hole 28b and the second orifice 40b of the sheath 18.
[0083] Thus, following the fourth finishing step, the process 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.
[0084] 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 spool 36 which is intended to form the core 16 of the strop 10.
[0085] Thus, according to this variant of the process, 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.
[0086] 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.
[0087] It will be understood that, according to this alternative embodiment, the second linking step which consists of connecting a spool 36 of wire 20 to the belt 32 is no longer necessary.
[0088] Finally, this embodiment variant includes a third step of filling the sheath 18 and a fourth finishing step which are identical to the third and fourth steps described previously.
[0089] The process 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 process in which the filling step is carried out manually.
[0090] Indeed, the filling of the sheath 18 is achieved by driving the belt 32, this drive being able to be motorized and automated.
[0091] Thus, the process according to the invention makes it possible to reduce human intervention times.
[0092] Furthermore, the process according to the invention makes it possible to industrialize the manufacture of a strop 10 of the type described above.
[0093] Naturally, the invention described above is by way of example. It is understood that a person skilled in the art is capable of carrying out different embodiments of the invention without departing from its scope.
Claims
Demands 1. A method for manufacturing a strop (10) comprising a first eye (12a), a second eye (12b) and a central elongated body (14) extending from the first eye (12a) to the second eye (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), a method characterized in that it comprises at least: • a first priming step which consists of passing respectively a belt (32) or a wire (20) through the sheath (18), so that respectively the belt (32) or the wire (20) forms a closed loop which exits from the first hole (24a) and the second hole (28a) of the sheath (18) to draw the first eye (12a), and which exits from the third hole (28b) and the fourth hole (24b) of the sheath (18) to draw the second eye (12b), • a second linking step which consists respectively of connecting a spool (36) of a wire (20) to the belt (32) by means of a fastener (38), or of closing the wire (20) onto itself by means of a fastener (38), and • a third step of filling the sheath (18) which consists of driving respectively the belt (32) in rotation to unwind the spool (36) of wire (20) or said wire (20) to form the core (16) of the strop (10).
2. Method of manufacturing a strop (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that at the end of the third filling step, 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, these two free ends being connected together by a new fastener (39).
3. A method for manufacturing a strop (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a fourth finishing step, which is carried out following the third step, and which includes a first phase consisting of inserting the free end of the first stump (22a) into the sheath (18) through the second hole (28a) to cover the soul of the first eye (12a) by the first inter-hole portion (26a) of the sheath (18), and a second phase consisting of inserting the free end of the second stump (22b) into the sheath (18) through the third hole (28b) to cover the soul of the second eye (12b) by the second inter-hole portion (26b) of the sheath (18).
4. Method of manufacturing a strop (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that the fourth finishing step comprises a third phase which consists of bringing out the first stump (22a) of the sheath (18) beyond the second hole (28a) and cutting the portion of the first stump (22a) which protrudes from the sheath (18), and a fourth phase which consists of bringing out the second stump (22b) of the sheath (18) beyond the third hole (28b) and cutting the portion of the second stump (22b) which protrudes from the sheath (18).
5. A method for manufacturing a strop (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the belt (32) is tensioned between a first rotating element (34a) which extends through the first eye (12a) and a second rotating element (34b) which extends through the second eye (12b), at least one of the two rotating elements (34a, 34b) being a driven rotating element adapted to drive the belt (32) in rotation during the third step of the method.
6. Method of manufacturing a strop (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that the center distance between the first rotating element (34a) and the second rotating element (34b) is adjustable to allow adjustment of the length of the strop (10).
7. Method of manufacturing a strop (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the yarn (20) which forms the core (16) of the strop (10) is made of continuous fiber.
8. Method of manufacturing a strop (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the yarn (20) which forms the core (16) of the strop (10) is composed of a plurality of filaments which form a strand.
9. Method of manufacturing a strop according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the yarn (20) which forms the core (16) of the strop (10) is composed of a plurality of filaments which form a braid.