Moebius strip forming device, forming machine using said Moebius strip forming device, and textile chain forming method

Abstract

A forming device (20) for forming a plurality of links in the shape of a Möbius strip. The forming device (20) comprises a circulation module (1) with an internal passageway, which has an extension (18) for rotating a strip (100) introduced into the circulation module (1) by 180°. A second object of the present invention is a textile chain forming machine comprising the forming device. Each link (300) in the chain is a Möbius strip. As a result, the chain has excellent abrasion resistance and can withstand very large loads. Another object of the present invention is a textile chain (200) forming procedure using the forming device. The procedure includes the steps of pretensioning the plurality of links (300), sewing, and applying final tension.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] A first object of the invention is a forming device for forming a number of links in the shape of a Möbius strip. A second object of the invention is a textile chain forming machine using the Möbius strip forming device. Each of the links in the chain is a Möbius strip. The chain is therefore very resistant to wear and can withstand very high loads. Finally, another object of the invention is a forming procedure for said textile chain using the Möbius strip forming device. [Background technology]

[0002] When transporting cargo, it is often necessary to secure and / or lift very heavy loads in order to move them from one point to another. To do so, lifting cranes are usually used. The lifting cranes suspend the loads via chains. The chains are usually made of metal.

[0003] This type of metal chain has many drawbacks, which make moving cargo difficult and cumbersome, in particular because the metal chain is very heavy and adds additional load to the crane.

[0004] Furthermore, metal chains are highly susceptible to wear and tear, as they may be subjected to high impacts during use, and are usually exposed to weather conditions, which can cause them to rust or deteriorate in some way. If this happens, the consequences can be severe.

[0005] An alternative to metal chains is a fiber tape made from a very resistant material. Since it contains a set of fibers in one and the same tape, it can have characteristics that are much better than those of a metal chain, and therefore can carry heavier loads.

[0006] Moreover, these fiber tapes are much lighter than metal chains. This makes them easier to use and move. Finally, since they contain a set of fibers in one and the same tape, if the tape becomes worn, the fibers break one by one in a very visible way. In this case, replacing the tape can prevent unexpected accidents.

[0007] Moreover, it must be emphasized that it is a Möbius strip or Möbius loop. The Möbius strip or Möbius loop is a surface with a single face and a single edge. It has the mathematical property of being a non-orientable object. It is also a ruled surface. This strip has been widely studied for many years, as it has a series of very special characteristics that make it applicable in many fields.

[0008] To make a Möbius strip, you start with a strip of a particular material. Rotate one of the ends halfway around itself, i.e., 180 degrees, and then join the ends together.

[0009] In the present invention described below, the properties of the Möbius strip are utilized to create a textile chain with exceptional abrasion resistance and load carrying capacity. Summary of the Invention

[0010] A first object of the invention is a Möbius strip forming device adapted to build up links in the shape of a Möbius strip starting from a textile strip made of natural, synthetic or man-made fibres.

[0011] To do so, the Moebius strip forming apparatus includes a circulation module having an inlet through which an end of the strip is introduced, an outlet for said strip, and an internal pathway along which said strip travels, said internal pathway extending from the inlet to the outlet.

[0012] Within the internal channel, preferably at the end opposite the inlet, it has an extension for rotating the strip. The strip is introduced through the inlet and travels through the internal channel until it reaches the extension. The end of the strip is rotated 180° around itself, thereby forming the characteristic curve of a Möbius strip. The strip then continues through the internal channel until it reaches the outlet of the circulation module. The protruding end of the strip is rotated 180° relative to the position at which it entered the circulation module.

[0013] Additionally, the Moebius strip forming apparatus may include a gas injector disposed at the inlet of the circulation module, the gas injector assisting the strip to advance more easily through the interior of the circulation module.

[0014] Furthermore, the Moebius strip forming device may comprise detection means intended to detect the strip when it starts to exit through the outlet of the circulation module so that no further strip is fed to the Moebius strip forming device.

[0015] A second object of the invention is a textile chain forming machine, which comprises a fixed structure, which serves as a support for the remaining elements.

[0016] The textile chain forming machine comprises a Möbius strip forming device according to the first object of the invention, said Möbius strip forming device being attached to said fixed structure, and further comprising a series of elements, as described below, enabling the formation of a chain, each of the links of which is a Möbius strip.

[0017] In particular, the textile chain forming machine comprises a strip supply assembly, preferably comprising a shuttle and a dispenser, both of which are mounted on the fixed structure, the shuttle and the dispenser serving to supply the strip to the Moebius strip forming device.

[0018] The dispenser provides the strip required to construct each link so that it is close to the inlet of the circulation module. Furthermore, the shuttle facilitates the introduction of the strip through the inlet of the circulation module. The shuttle may also comprise an additional gas injector, which provides a directed gas flow, allowing easy entry of the strip into the interior of the circulation module.

[0019] Furthermore, the textile chain forming machine comprises means for temporarily joining the ends of the strip to the links, and joining means also attached to the fixed structure, which prevent it from unraveling once it has left the Moebius strip forming device, and which are intended to join the strip forming a link once it has left the circulating module.

[0020] The textile chain forming machine also comprises a number of fixing elements attached to the fixed structure and movable relative to it, intended to hold the links in their shape while they are closed by the joining means once it has been extracted from the circulation module.

[0021] The textile chain forming machine also comprises a cutting mechanism, which is attached to the fixed structure and which is intended to cut and separate the link from the rest of the strip.

[0022] The textile chain forming machine comprises a number of fixing elements attached to the fixed structure for positioning a number of said links which have already been formed and separated from the remainder of the strip and for connecting said links with the strip to be introduced into the Moebius strip forming device so that the chain can be formed.

[0023] Finally, the textile chain forming machine comprises a pretensioning assembly intended to apply a tensioning force to a number of said links in order to rearrange, compact and align the fibres of the band that constitute each link, thereby improving the properties of the chain.

[0024] Finally, a third object of the invention is a textile chain forming procedure using said textile chain forming machine as described.

[0025] In a first step of the textile chain forming procedure, the strip is fed into the circulating module of the Möbius strip forming apparatus and an end of the strip is rotated 180° to form a first link in the shape of a Möbius strip.

[0026] The arrival of the strip at the outlet of the circulation module is then detected by a detection means, at which point feeding of the strip is terminated.

[0027] In a second step, the end of the strap is joined to the remainder of the strap, thereby preventing the first link from unraveling.

[0028] In a third step, the remaining portion of the strap is tensioned to the first link by a tensioning means and an additional loop of strap is assembled to the first link, resulting in a structure that is more durable and has better properties.

[0029] The formed first link is removed from the Moebius strip forming apparatus while remaining fixed by the plurality of fixing elements, and in a fourth step of the textile chain forming procedure, the link is separated from the remainder of the strip by the cutting mechanism.

[0030] At the end of all these steps, the first link in the chain will be created. Then, both ends of the strip are joined to the link. The first link is then positioned so that a new strip introduced into the Moebius strip forming machine can be joined to it. This completes the chain.

[0031] These steps can be repeated until a chain of the desired length is formed.

[0032] The textile chain forming procedure may then further comprise the step of pretensioning the chain in the pretensioning assembly to better redirect the fibers that make up the strips, thereby obtaining better properties for the chain.

[0033] Finally, the final joining of the ends of the strap is carried out right on the links. The final tensioning step is carried out at temperatures between 10°C and 150°C, depending on the desired physical properties of the chain. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0034] As a complement to the description given herein, and in order to make the features of the invention more readily comprehensible, according to preferred and practical exemplary embodiments thereof, the above description is accompanied by a set of drawings which form an integral part of said description, which show, by way of example and not by way of limitation, the following: [Figure 1A] FIG. 1 shows an overall view of a textile chain forming machine. [Figure 1B] FIG. 2 shows a top view of a textile chain forming machine. [Diagram 2] 1 shows the movement of the forming device and the movement of the shuttle while the ribbon is being fed into the circulation module. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 shows a detailed view of the positioning of the fixing staple and joining means of the first link. [Figure 4] 13 shows a detailed view of the movement of the multiple fixing elements of the link once it leaves the forming device. [Diagram 5] 1 shows a detailed view of the joining means which moves closer to join the links and the cutting mechanism which separates the links from the remainder of the strap. [Figure 6] 1 illustrates a detailed view of the multiple fixation elements while they are holding the first link. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 shows a side view of the pretension assembly. [Figure 8A] FIG. 2 shows a top view of a Moebius strip forming apparatus with a closed circulation module. [Figure 8B] FIG. 2 shows a front view of a Moebius strip forming device with a closed circulation module. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 shows an overall view of a Moebius strip forming apparatus with an open circulation module. [Figure 10A] An overall view of the belt is shown. [Figure 10B] 1 shows a perspective view of one link of a Möbius strip shaped chain and a perspective view of a chain with a pair of links. [Figure 11] 1 shows an overview of the basic steps of the procedure for the purposes of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0035] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1A to 11. FIG.

[0036] FIG. 10A shows a band (100) used in both the Moebius band forming device (20) according to the first object of the present invention and in the textile chain forming machine according to the second object of the present invention to form a textile chain (200) of natural, synthetic or man-made fibers.

[0037] This chain (200) has the particularity that each of the links (300) of the chain (200) is a Moebius strip, which gives the chain (200) exceptional resistance and load capacity.

[0038] A Moebius strip forming apparatus (20) according to the first object of the present invention is shown in Figures 8A, 8B and 9. In particular, the forming apparatus (20) comprises a circulation module (1) having an upper half (13) and a lower half (23). Figure 9 shows the two halves (13, 23) of the circulation module (1) in a separated state, while Figure 8B shows the two halves (13, 23) in a closed state. When the two halves (13, 23) are in a closed state, the circulation module (1) is formed.

[0039] The circulation module (1) further comprises an inlet (8) for the strip (100) and an outlet (16) for the strip (100). As can be seen in detail in Fig. 9, inside the circulation module (1) there is an internal passage extending from the inlet (8) to the outlet (16). At the end opposite to the inlet (8), the internal passage has an extension (18) for rotating the strip (100). In this way, the strip (100) is introduced through the inlet (8) when the upper half (13) of the circulation module (1) and the lower half (23) of the circulation module (1) are in a closed state. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the internal passage and the extension (18) for rotation have the shape of a negative Möbius strip.

[0040] The strip (100) travels through the internal passage until it reaches the extension (18). The end of the strip (100) is rotated 180° around itself, thereby forming the characteristic curve of a Möbius strip. The strip (100) continues through the internal passage until it reaches the exit (16) of the circulation module (1). The protruding end of the strip (100) is rotated 180° relative to where it entered the circulation module (100).

[0041] As shown in Figures 8A and 8B, the Moebius strip forming apparatus (20) further comprises a gas injector (11) disposed at the inlet (8) of the circulation module (1). The gas injector (11) helps the strip (100) to move more easily through the interior of the circulation module (1) by releasing gas.

[0042] Furthermore, the Moebius strip forming device (20) comprises detection means (12) intended to detect the strip (100) as it exits through the outlet (16) of the circulation module (1). Said detection means (12) is shown in Figure 8B.

[0043] A second object of the invention is a textile chain forming machine, which is shown in an overall view in Figure 1A and in a plan view in Figure 1B. Firstly, the textile chain forming machine comprises a fixed structure (19), which serves as a support for the remaining elements.

[0044] Said forming machine comprises a Moebius strip former (20) mounted on a fixed structure (19), said Moebius strip former (20) being the first object of the invention and shown in detail in figures 8A, 8B and 9. Furthermore, it comprises a series of elements described below, allowing the formation of a chain (200). As shown in figure 10B, each of the links (300) of the chain (200) is a Moebius strip obtained from the described forming device (20).

[0045] Specifically, the textile chain forming machine comprises a strip feed assembly, which has a shuttle (2) and a dispenser (3), as shown in Figures 1A and 1B. Both the shuttle (2) and the dispenser (3) are mounted on a stationary structure (19). The shuttle (2) and the dispenser (3) are responsible for feeding the strip (100) to a Moebius strip forming device (20).

[0046] The dispenser (3) is connected to the supply roller (17) shown in Figure 1A. The dispenser (3) provides the strip (100) required to construct each link (300) so that it is always close to the inlet (8) of the circulation module (1). Furthermore, the shuttle (2) facilitates the introduction of the strip (100) through the inlet (8) of the circulation module (1).

[0047] The shuttle (2) also includes an additional gas injector that provides a directed gas flow, allowing easy entry of the strip (100) into the interior of the circulation module (1).

[0048] Furthermore, the textile chain forming machine comprises joining means (4), which are shown, for example, in Fig. 4. The joining means (4) are likewise attached to the fixed structure (19) and are intended to join the strips (100) forming the links (300). As shown in Fig. 4, the joining means (4) consist of staples (41), which are intended to hold the ends of the strips (100) once they have taken on the shape of a Möbius strip, thus facilitating joining.

[0049] As shown in more detail in Figure 4 or 5, the forming machine also comprises a number of fixed elements (5, 6, 7) attached to a fixed structure (19) and movable relative to said fixed structure (19). In particular, the first pivot (5), the second pivot (6) shown in Figure 4 and the finger (7), for example with a roller, shown in Figure 5, are intended to hold the link (300) while it is closed by the joining means (4), maintaining its shape once it has been extracted from the circulation module (1).

[0050] The forming machine also comprises a cutting mechanism (10) mounted on a fixed structure (19) and intended to cut and separate the link (300) from the remainder of the strip (100). The cutting mechanism (10) is shown in Figure 5.

[0051] To position the already formed and cut links (300) and to connect them to the band (100) to be introduced into the Moebius band forming device (20) so as to form the chain (200) shown in Fig. 10B, the textile chain forming machine comprises a number of fixing elements (9, 14 and 15) attached to a fixed structure (19). In particular, these fixing elements are the tensioning means (9) shown in Fig. 5, the lower fixing element (14) shown in Fig. 6 and the chain fixing element (15) also shown in Fig. 6.

[0052] Finally, as shown in Figure 7, the textile chain forming machine comprises a pretensioning assembly (24) intended to apply a tensioning force to at least one link (300) or, if the chain (200) comprises several links (300), to the formed links (300) in order to rearrange the fibers of the band (100) constituting the chain (200), thereby improving the properties of the chain (200).

[0053] A third object of the present invention is a textile chain forming procedure. The chain (200) comprises a series of links (300). Each link (300) is made up of a textile strip (100) and has the shape of a Moebius strip. The procedure uses the textile chain forming machine described above. The procedure includes the steps described below.

[0054] The first step consists in feeding the ribbon (100) into the circulation module (1) of the former (20). To do so, the former (20) enters into a central position, as shown in FIG.

[0055] Next, the shuttle (2) is actuated. Specifically, the brake (21) of the shuttle is actuated, thereby fixing the supplied strip (100) as shown in Fig. 2. Next, as shown in the right part of Fig. 2, the shuttle (2) advances to the inlet (8) of the circulation module (1) and the strip (100) is pulled.

[0056] The dispenser (3) with the fastening element is then closed, in a process in which the end of the strip (100) is rotated 180° to form a first loop of a first link (300) having the characteristic shape of a Möbius strip.

[0057] As shown in Figure 2, to facilitate the entry of the strip (100), the additional gas injector of the shuttle (2) and the gas injector (11) of the forming device (20) are activated. Both gas injectors emit a flow of gas, which facilitates the entry of the strip (100) through the inlet (8) of the circulation module (1). At the same time, the dispenser (3) advances to dispense a quantity of the strip into the circulation module (1).

[0058] The ribbon (100) is detected at the outlet of the circulation module (1) by the detection means (12) of the forming device (20) shown in Figure 8B, which indicates that the ribbon (100) is traveling correctly inside the circulation module (1) and the gas supply may be stopped.

[0059] In a second step, the end of the strap (100) is joined to the remainder of the strap (100) by a joining means (4) to prevent the first loop of the link (300) from unraveling.

[0060] In a third step, the remaining portion of strap (100) is pulled onto the first link (300) and 2-10 additional loops of strap (100) are assembled onto the first link (300), giving each link much greater resistance.

[0061] Figure 3 shows an overall view of the joining means (4) moving to a position close to the forming device (20) and actuating the staples (41) of the joining means (4), which is intended to keep the first link (300) in a controlled state with all loops as shown in Figure 3.

[0062] Next, once the band (100), which already has the shape of a Möbius strip, is firmly fixed, the circulation module (1) is opened, the upper and lower halves (13 and 23) of the circulation module (1) are separated, and the band (100) is released.

[0063] Then, as shown in FIG. 4, multiple fixing elements, specifically the first pivot (5) and the second pivot (6), are introduced to a specific position and moved until they are inside the first link (300).

[0064] FIG. 5 shows an overall view of the textile chain forming machine when another of the multiple fixing elements, in this case a finger (7) with a roller, moves to a specific position while maintaining the shape of the link (300).

[0065] The excess strip (100) is then collected in the dispenser (3). In this way, it is ensured that the first link (300) of the chain (200) has an accurate length of between 60mm and 600mm.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 5, in the fourth step of the procedure, the strap cutting mechanism (10) is actuated to separate the link (300) from the remainder of the strap (100).

[0067] In a fifth step, a temporary joining of both ends of the strip forming the link (300) is performed on the link (300) to prevent the link from unraveling.

[0068] Figure 6 shows the forming machine during the movement closer of the pivots (5 and 6) which releases the tension on the link (300). The pivots (5 and 6) are retracted to their rest position.

[0069] In a sixth step, the above steps are repeated to form a new link (300) and connect it to the first link (300), thus forming the chain (200). To do so, the lower fixing element (14) that secures the link (300) is rotated by 90° so that it can be connected to the next link (300).

[0070] Next, the chain fixing element (15) and the lower fixing element (14) position the multiple links (300) in the positions shown to perform pretensioning by the pretensioning assembly (24) shown in Figure 7. The pretensioning is performed with a load of 5% to 40% of the breaking load of the strap (100).

[0071] After pretensioning, the final joining of the ends of the strap is performed right on the links (300) and the final tensioning of the chain is performed at a temperature between 10°C and 150°C with a load between 25% and 80% of the breaking load of the strap (100).

[0072] The pretensioning and tensioning of the chain (200) makes it possible to pack and align the fibers that make up the chain band (100), and the fact that the final tensioning is carried out at a specific temperature makes it possible to obtain the required physical properties of the chain (200).

[0073] FIG. 11 shows diagrammatically and summarily the basic steps of the procedure for the purpose of the present invention, namely starting from a textile strip, forming links in the shape of a Möbius strip, applying pretension, forming a textile chain, sewing the links and applying final tension.

Claims

1. A Moebius strip forming device (20), comprising: a circulation module (1) having an inlet (8) suitable for one end of a band (100), an outlet (16) suitable for said band (100), and an internal passage from said inlet (8) to said outlet (16), and an extension (18) suitable for rotating said band (100) located within said internal passage, the extension (18) is adapted to rotate the end of the band (100) 180° about its longitudinal axis; The Moebius strip forming apparatus (20) further comprises a gas injector (11) arranged at the inlet (8) of the circulation module (1) intended to drive the strip (100) through the internal path of the circulation module (1).

2. 2. A Moebius strip forming device according to claim 1, further comprising detection means (12) attached to said circulation module (1), intended to detect said end of said strip (100) at said outlet (16) of said circulation module (1).

3. A textile chain forming machine intended to form a chain (200) having a plurality of links (300) in the shape of a Moebius strip, comprising: A fixed structure (19); a Moebius strip forming device (20) as claimed in claim 1 for forming a plurality of links (300) in the shape of a Moebius strip, said link being attached to said fixed structure (19); a feeding assembly (2, 3) for feeding a strip (100) to the circulation module (1) of the Moebius strip forming device (20); - a joining means (4) attached to said fixed structure (19) and movable relative to said fixed structure (19), intended to join the end of said strip (100) leaving said Moebius strip forming device (20) with the remaining part of said strip forming a link (300); a cutting mechanism (10) attached to said fixed structure (19) and intended to cut and separate said link (300) from the remainder of said strip (100); A textile chain forming machine comprising:

4. 4. The textile chain forming machine according to claim 3, further comprising a pretensioning assembly (24) intended to apply a tensioning force to a plurality of said links (300) of said formed chain (200).

5. 2. A method of forming a textile chain using a Moebius strip forming device (20) according to claim 1, comprising the steps of: - feeding a strip (100) into the circulation module (1) of the Möbius strip forming device (20) and rotating the end of the strip (100) by 180° to form a first link (300) in the shape of a Möbius strip; - joining said ends of said strip to said strip (100); - cutting said strip (100); - provisionally joining the ends of said strap (100) to said links (300); - forming new links (300) by repeating a number of said steps and connecting them with said first links (300), thus forming a chain (200); A method for forming a textile chain comprising:

6. pretensioning said chain (200) comprising at least one link (300); final joining of said ends of said strap (100) to said links (300); 6. The method of claim 5 further comprising:

7. 7. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of applying a final tension to the chain (200).

8. 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of pulling a remaining portion of the strap (100) onto the first link (300) and incorporating at least one additional loop of the strap (100) into the first link (300) following the step of temporarily joining the end of the strap to the strap (100).

9. 6. Method for forming a textile chain according to claim 5, wherein gas is injected to drive the strip (100) while it is being fed into the circulation module (1).

10. 6. A method for forming a textile chain according to claim 5, further comprising, following the first step of feeding a strip (100) to the circulation module (1), a step of adjusting the length of the links (300).

11. 7. A method for forming a textile chain according to claim 6, wherein the step of pretensioning the chain (200) is carried out with a load up to 40% of the breaking load of the strap (100).

12. A method of forming a textile chain according to claim 7, wherein the step of final tensioning the chain (200) is carried out with a load of between 25% and 80% of the breaking load of the band (100).

13. A method for forming a textile chain according to claim 5, wherein the step of temporarily joining the ends of the strips (100) to the links (300) is performed by sewing.

14. A method for forming a textile chain according to claim 7, wherein the step of final tensioning the chain (200) is carried out at a specific temperature between 10°C and 150°C.

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