Radial-Seam Rope Loop Structure for Compact End Termination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rope termination methods, such as knots, folding with stitching, and splices, are either dependent on individual skill, costly, or result in a bulky volume that is inconvenient for use in confined spaces like tree care.
Innovation Solution
A rope design featuring a core and sheath with a strap partially or fully covering the sheath, secured by multiple threads passing through a central section of the core, sheath, and strap, forming angularly offset links to create a compact and secure loop.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the end of the rope is folded and stitched to form a loop, then the strength of the loop can be controlled, but the volume at the end of the rope is doubled which is inconvenient in confined spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The strap is folded back onto itself to form a loop, with the folded strap nested within the sheath. The thread passes through the folded strap and the sheath multiple times, creating a compact structure where the loop is contained within the overall rope diameter rather than doubling the volume externally.
Solution Approach 2:
The thread creates links that pass through the core, sheath, and strap in a three-dimensional pattern with angular offsets. This multi-dimensional stitching pattern distributes the attachment points throughout the volume, securing the strap firmly while maintaining a compact overall structure that doesn't increase rope end volume.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a splice is made to form a loop, then the rope can be reinserted into the sheath, but the process requires manual operation which is costly and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The strap is folded and positioned on the sheath before the threading process begins. The thread is then passed through the folded strap and sheath in a predetermined pattern, creating the loop structure in advance rather than requiring complex manual splicing operations during assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex manual splicing process is replaced by a simplified threading mechanism where a single thread passes through multiple layers (strap and sheath) at angularly offset positions. This mechanical substitution reduces the skill requirement and manufacturing time while achieving the same functional result of rope reinsertability.
3Strength
If multiple lines of stitching are made perpendicularly to the rope axis to attach the strap, then the attachment is secured, but the general volume is fairly large which is inconvenient in tree care
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making all stitching lines perpendicular to the rope axis, the thread creates links at angularly offset positions relative to the rope axis. This asymmetric arrangement allows the thread to pass through the core, sheath, and strap in a pattern that distributes attachment points around the circumference, securing the strap firmly while maintaining a compact profile.
Solution Approach 2:
The stitching transitions from a two-dimensional perpendicular pattern to a three-dimensional pattern where links are angularly offset around the rope axis. This multi-dimensional approach secures the strap through distributed attachment points while keeping the overall volume compact, as the links radiate outward from the center rather than stacking linearly.
4Strength
If the seam between the strap and sheath-core assembly is made, then the strap is attached, but the seam is not homogeneous which requires increasing the attachment surface to obtain required strength
Solution Approach 1:
The thread passes through specific local regions of the core, sheath, and strap at angularly offset positions, creating localized high-strength attachment points. Rather than distributing stress uniformly across a large homogeneous seam, the thread concentrates attachment strength at multiple discrete locations around the circumference, achieving required strength with a more compact attachment surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment structure comprises multiple layers (strap, sheath, and core) bonded together by the thread at angularly offset positions. This composite construction integrates the different materials in a layered configuration, where the thread penetrates through all layers to create a strong multi-material attachment that is more efficient than a single-layer homogeneous seam.
Data Source
AI summary
A rope comprises a core extending along a longitudinal axis and a sheath surrounding the core, the sheath extending along the longitudinal axis. A strap at least partially surrounds the sheath, the strap being separated from the core by the sheath. At least one thread passes several times through the strap, sheath and core to form several links fixedly securing the strap on the core and sheath. The links pass through a central section of the core, the central section corresponding to a circular section representing less than 50% of the cross-section of the core. The links are angularly offset from one another when observed along the longitudinal axis.