U-Shaped Thimble with Groove and Base Channel for Rope Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current solid thimbles fail to protect synthetic ropes from abrasion and UV damage, and do not provide adequate protection for fairlead openings when used in winching and hoisting applications, leading to distortion and damage.

Innovation Solution

A thimble apparatus with a U-shaped shackle design featuring a groove and rope seat, coupled with a bumper to prevent direct contact with the fairlead, which protects the rope from abrasion and UV damage and shields the fairlead from damage during winching.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a solid thimble design is used to protect the rope, then the rope is protected from environmental damage, but the thimble may be crushed causing the eye shape to distort and reduce opening size

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from environmental damageVSAvoidresistance to crushing

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The thimble is divided into two main segments: a U-shaped thimble eye portion and a separate base portion. This segmentation allows the thimble eye to maintain its structural integrity for protection while the base provides additional support without compromising the eye's resistance to crushing forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the thimble have different structural properties optimized for their specific functions. The thimble eye has a uniform wall thickness for consistent protection, while the base features a channel structure that provides localized reinforcement where needed without adding unnecessary weight or complexity elsewhere.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If an open thimble design is used, then the thimble is less prone to crushing, but the rope is not protected from abrasions or UV damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresistance to crushingVSAvoidprotection from abrasion and UV damage

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The thimble features an asymmetric design where the base portion extends only on one side of the thimble eye, creating an uneven structure that provides protection where needed while maintaining openness and reducing weight. The channel in the base is positioned asymmetrically to optimize rope guidance and protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

3Device complexity

If current thimble designs are used, then the thimble can be simple in structure, but they do not provide a fairlead engagement surface to prevent damage to the fairlead opening

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidprotection of fairlead opening

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The base portion of the thimble serves multiple functions: it provides structural support to prevent crushing, guides the rope through its channel, and creates a fairlead engagement surface that prevents damage to the fairlead opening. This multi-functionality is achieved without significantly increasing overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The base acts as an intermediary element between the thimble eye and the fairlead opening. It provides a dedicated engagement surface that interfaces with the fairlead, preventing direct contact between the thimble eye and the fairlead opening, thereby protecting both components from damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If a U-shaped shackle design with groove and rope seat is used, then the rope is properly positioned and protected, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection and positioning of ropeVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The groove and rope seat features are localized to specific areas of the thimble eye where they are most needed for rope positioning and protection. The groove is positioned to guide the rope, while the rope seat provides localized support, minimizing the overall structural complexity while maximizing protective functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS10228044B2Splicer thimble for rope

Publication Date: 2019.03.12 WARN INDUSTRIES INC

AI summary

A thimble apparatus for use with a rope has a thimble eye formed as a generally U-shaped shackle defining a center aperture therein with arms on opposing sides of the aperture. The thimble eye has an outer surface, a front face, and a rear face. A groove is formed within the front face of the shackle generally in the shape of a U and has a width. A rope seat is formed within the shackle beneath the groove proximal to the rear face and has a diameter larger than the width of the groove. The groove forms a passage to the rope seat from the front face along the length of the groove. A base connects to ends of the arms of the shackle closing the aperture. The base defines a channel formed as an open-ended groove through the base such that in use the channel permits a rope to extend from either one of adjacent sides of the base to position the thimble apparatus between first and second positions.