| JP59159310 | CONE |
| JP2009137048 | OPTICAL SHAPING APPARATUS |
| JP58197028 | PRE-FOAMING OF THERMOPLASTIC RESIN GRANULE |
Alexander
Penryn
Rowland, Smith
Sheila
May
Alexander
Penryn
Rowland, Smith
Sheila
May
| 1. | A method of providing an end stop on synthetic, heat formable cordage or lines, characterised in that an end portion of the cordage or line is heated until it is in a mouldable condition and then the heated end portion is moulded to form an integral end formation having substantially flat undercut shoulders protruding outwards from the periphery of the cordage or line. |
| 2. | A method of providing an end stop on synthetic, heat formable cordage or lines, characterised in that an end portion of the cordage or line is heated until it is in a mouldable condition and then the heated end portion is engaged in a mould in which a separate, preformed cap element is disposed, so that the cap becomes welded to said heated end portion to form an end stop thereon having substantially flat . undercut shoulders protruding outwards from the periphery of the cordage or line. |
| 3. | A method according to Claim 2 wherein a surface of said cap element, which is made of a heat formable material , is heated until it is molten prior to engagement therewith by said end portion of the cordage or line. |
| 4. | A method according to Claim 1 wherein said end formation is moulded to have a raised or indented area on its end surface remote from the cordage or line. |
| 5. | A method according to Claim 1 wherein the cordage' or line is first passed through a tubular member, the protruding end portion of the cordage or line, or separate filaments thereof, then being heated to form an enlarged head having its undersurface formed to be generally flat by an end surface of the tubular member. « . |
| 6. | A method according to Claim 5 wherein the tubular member is rotated or rotationally oscillated during heating of said end portion of the cordage or line. |
| 7. | A method according to Claim 5 wherein the tubular member and the molten head of the cordage or line protruding therefrom is engaged within a further tubular member so that the periphery of the molten head is shaped by the inner periphery of the further tubular member. |
| 8. | A method according to Claim 7 wherein said further tubular member is slidably located on the first tubular member and is moved therealong, after said enlarged head has been heat formed on the end of the cordage or line, to shape the periphery of said enlarged head. |
| 9. | A method according to Claim 8 wherein a forming die is introduced into the open end of a portion of said further tubular member which protrudes beyond the end of the first tubular member, to shape the end surface of said enlarged head remote from the cordage or line. |
| 10. | A method according to Claim 8 wherein the end surface of the protruding part of said further tubular member is pressed against a flat surface whereby the further tubular member slides relative to the first, inner tubular member until said molten enlarged head has been shaped by that surface, the inner periphery of said further tubular member and the end surface of the first, inner tubular member. ^UREΛ P . |
| 11. | A method according to Claim 8 wherein said end surface of the protruding part of said further tubular member is inserted into a die and the two tubular members are moved relative to one another until said molten enlarged head is shaped by the die, the inner periphery of said further, outer tubular member and an end surface of the first, inner tubular member. |
| 12. | A method according to Claim 5 wherein said tubular member comprises a plurality of sections which can be moved relative to one another after formation of an end stopper to permit removal thereof from an intermediate position on the cordage or line. |
| 13. | A device for forming an end stop on synthetic, heat formable cordage or lines, characterised by a pair of relatively slidable tubular members (21,23) one within the other for receiving a cordage or line therethrough, the inner tubular member having a substantially flat end surface for forming the underside of an end stop on the cordage or line. |
| 14. | A device according to Claim 13, including a rod having a forming die (24) at least at one end thereof, slidably engagable in the open end of a protruding portion of the outer tubular member (23) to close said open end. |
| 15. | A device according to Claim 13, including a die (74) adapted to receive an end portion of the outer tubular member (63). |
| 16. | A device according to Claim 14, wherein the rod has a further narrower portion with a forming die (40) at the free end thereof, slidably engagable in the inner tubular member (35). |
| 17. | A device according to Claim 16, including a cap (39) engagable with an end portion of the inner tubular member (35) to house therein a larger diameter portion (38) of the rod having a forming die at the end thereof with the narrow portion of the rod disposed within the inner tubular member (35). |
| 18. | A device according to Claim 13 wherein the inner tubular member (21) comprises a plurality of sections which can be moved relative to one another to permit removal of that member from about a cordage or a line after formation of an end stop thereon. |
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing an end stop on synthetic cordage (including woven glass filaments and strands of glass used in cables and optical instruments) and extrusions to provide a means for fastening it to itself and other objects such as thimbles in canvas or plastic sheeting, parrel beads, anchorages, screw- eyes, blocks, buckles, clasps, clips, toys and many other items. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is a great disadvantage of all cordage that it is so unsightly and cumbersome when knotted to other objects (to small ones in particlar). It is a further disadvantage of knots that the human factor can allow them to be fallible. Splicing rope is also skilled and time-consuming and it is extremely difficult with braided lines. All seizings, too, are costly procedures.
It is an object of this invention to provide a neat and pleasing means of fastening synthetic cordage both to itself and to other objects without the use of conventional knots, splices, seizings or the like but which at the same time is extremely strong and so simple as to almost eliminate the possibility of human error. The new method permits quick removal of cordage without any un-knotting or cutting.
It is known to cut synthetic ropes with heated knives which seal the ends and prevent fraying. It is also custom and practice amongst sailors to hold such cut line ends in gas flames until molten then roll these ends with wetted fingers until they are sufficiently small to reeve through a block.
Rope is also pointed by cutting it diagonally with a hot knife. Moreover there are few known hand¬ held tools for finishing cordage apart from Marline Spikes and Fyds. Most chandlers now cut cordage to length using a heavy device with an electrically heated element which tends to distort the round section of the rope as it cuts through.
It is also known to place cordage in the moulds of plastics injection moulding machines and to inject compatible plastics materials into the cavity around the cordage to provide loops or stoppers at the end thereof. Such a method is described in British Patent Specification No. 974,810. It is a disadvantage of such a finish that the additional plastics material may not strongly adhere to the rope inside it as it sets, unless that rope has previously been knotted, which tends to form a, rather bulky stopper. It is a further disadvantage that such machines are of little use to sailors and yachtsmen at sea who need to finish lines of varying lengths with simple hand-held tools.
Another object of the invention is to provide simple hand tools for rope-working using heat to produce end stops thereon and which are light and portable, which may be used almost anywhere, and which are inexpensive to manufacture and purchase. It is intended that these tools can use any available low heat source, such as a methylated spirit lamp, a butane gas flame or a domestic gas ring, to heat- form synthetic cordage ends into neat frayproof finishes which include strong end stoppers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention provides a method of " providing an end stop on synthetic, heat for able cordage or lines, characterised in that an end portion of the cordage or line is heated until it is in a ouldable condition and then the heated end portion is moulded to form an integral end formation having substantially flat undercut, shoulders protruding outwards from the periperhy of the cordage or line.
The invention also provides a method of providing an end stop on synthetic, heat formable cordage or lines, characterised in that an end portion of the cordage or line is heated until it is in a mouldable condition and then the heated end portion is engaged in a mould in which a separate, preformed cap element is disposed, so that the cap becomes welded to said heated end portion to form an r end stop thereon having substantially flat undercut shoulders protruding outwards from the periphery of the cordage or line.
The cordage or line is preferably first passed through a tubular member, the protruding end portion of the cordage or line, or separate fi 1 aments thereof, then being heatedto form an enlarged head having its undersurface formed to be generally flat by an end surface of the tubular member. The tubular member is preferably rotated or rotationally oscillated during heating of said end portion of the cordage or line.
The tubular member and the molten head of the cordage or line protruding therefrom may be engaged within a further tubular member so that the periphery of the molten head is shaped by the inner periphery of the further tubular member.
Said further tubular member is preferably slidably located on the first tubular member and is moved therealong, after said enlarged head has been heat formed on the end of the cordage or line, to shape the periphery of said enlarged head.
The invention further provides a device for forming an end stop on synthetic, heat formable cordage or lines, characterised by a pair of relatively slidable tubular members, one within the other, for receiving a cordage or line therethrough, the inner tubular member having a substantially flat end surface for forming the underside of an end stop on the cordage or line.
There may also be provided a rod having a forming die at least at one end thereof, slidably engagable in the open end of a protruding portion of the outer tubular member to close said open end.
The inner tubular member may comprise a plurality of sections which can be moved relative to one another to permit removal of that member from about a cordage or a line after formation of an end stop thereon.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 is a side view of a rope formed with an end stopper in accordance with the invention;
Figure 2 is a cross-section through a fitting in which the rope and end stopper of Figure 1 is 1 ocated; Figure 3A is a cross-section through a tool according to the invention for forming an end stopper on plastics rope;
Figure 3B is a side view of the tool of Figure
3A after formation of the end stopper; Figure 4 is a side view, partly in section, of the tool of Figures 3A and 3B used with a die;
Figure 5 is a cross-section through another embodiment of a tool for forming an end stopper;
Figure 6 is a side view, partly in section, of another form of end stopper produced at a rope's end;
Figure 7 is a cross-section through a tent guy rope toggle threaded with a rope having an end stopper in accordance with the invention; Figure 8 is a cross-section through a further tool for forming an end stopper on a plastics rope;
Figures 9A and 9B are, respectively, a plan view and a side view of a line for use with a rope having an end stopper; Figure 9C is a side view of an assembly of a rope threaded through the link of Figures 9A and 9B, and through a plastics sleeve to form a bight around an anchorage;
Figure 10 is a side view, in cross-section, of a rope having an end stopper in accordance with the invention threaded through a twin-bore plastics extrusion to form a bight around an anchorage;
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Figure 1IA is a side view of a further tool for forming an end stopper on a plastics rope;
Figure 11B is a side view of a die rod for use in conjunction with the tool of Figure 11A;
Figures 11C and 11D are, respectively, a side view and - a cross-section through another die rod for use with the tool of Figure 11A;
Figure 12 is a side view of the tool of Figure 11A in use; and
Figure 13 is a side view, partly in section, of use of the tool of Figure 11A in conjunction with a die block.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENT Referring to Fig. 1 a synthetic rope or line (10) is provided with a strong heat formed head or cap (11) provided with shoulders (12) which protrude some distance on either side beyond the diameter of the cordage as seen in Fig. 1. The top of the head or capping (11) may be attractively formed with a raised or indented pattern or trade motif. It should be noted that ropes of nylon, polyester, polypropylene and the like are readily heat-formable with very low heat sources.
Referring to Fig. 2, the object (13) to which the rope or line is to be attached is provided with one or more holes (14,15) for fastening purposes. These holes should be of a diameter which is restricted to or very nearly to the diameter of the rope (10) itself. The top and bottom edges of such holes are preferably radiused or chamfered to lessen friction. The holes (14,15) for attachment may lie in any plane in relation to the securing cordage but should preferably be so sized as to provide a "push fit" for that cordage.
To attach cordage with the heat formed head to any object provided with one or more restricted diameter attachment holes a pointed head of the cordate (10) is laced into one or more of the holes
(14,15) where the heat formed shoulders (12) of the capping (11) retain it in position. Preferably the load upon any single attachment hole is best exerted at right angles to that hole to reduce loading upon the shoulders of the cap of the cordage. However tests made upon a 5mm polypropylene line, by pulling directly downwards upon a heat formed cap in a restricted attachment hole resisted direct, snatching loads of some 200 lbs. without breaking. The ability to withstand such a direct loading upon the cap indicates that very considerable loads can be tolerated by • the cap when the cordage is laced or reversed
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through more than one restricted attachment aperture.
In accordance with one method according to the present invention, cordage (10) is heat formed by threading a pointed end through a tube of metal (16) of similar size to the cordage diameter preferably of aluminium having a knurled outer end portion (17), as illustrated in Fig. 3A. Some fin. (19mm) or so of the line (10) is left protruding beyond the other end of the tube (16). ' This protruding portion of the line is wire brushed. Then the filaments, now separated, are drawn back into the tube and the end is now placed near a very low heat source, such as a methylated spirit lamp or butane flame turned low, and the knurled tube is revolved as the cordage filaments are slowly pushed out of its protection. As the flame plays upon the revolving filaments they slowly melt and seat on the end of the tube (16), as illustrated in Fig. 3B, to form a mushroom shaped head on the cordage of similar diameter to the knurled metal tube. This cap (18) has sharply formed shoulders and is already adequate for the purposes of this invention. However, it may be further improved if the tube containing the cordage, with its molten protruding plastic cap (18), is pushed ' gently into an open ended metal cylinder (19) having a wider tapering or chamfered entrance and containing a circular shaped die (20) therein, which is preferably separate from the cylinder. The open cylinder is best used upright upon a bench as illustrated in Fig. 4. The tube (16) may be split along its axis in order to facilitate its removal when heads (18) are required at both ends of the rope (10).
Referring to Fig. 5, a preferred method of heat-forming suitable heads (18) is to provide a metal tube (21) of similar size to the cordage (10) diameter, one end of which may be knurled or covered with rubber or plastic to afford a finger-grip (22).
A second outer metal tube (23) is provided located outside the first tube (21). The outer tube (23) is closely fitting on the inner tube (21) but is free to slide telescopically up or down the inner metal tube. A third and separate portion is a small circular die (24) which may be positioned at one end of a short rod capable of telescopically sliding into the open end of the outer tube (23) of the two metal tubes when required. In operation, both metal tubes, located around the cordage (10), are rotated back and forth held by the cool rubber grip. (22) with the protruding plastic filaments near the side of a low flame, as previously described, until they melt and form a molten mass (25) at the end of the inner tube (21). The outer telescopic tube (23) which may be knurled or covered with rubber or plastic, is then extended so as to cover the molten plastic within it. The separate die (24) is then inserted into the outer end of the telescopic outer tube (23) and when the inner rubber covered tube (22) around the rope and the die (24) are firmly closed together upon the molten plastics material within a neat heat-formed head is formed. Another method of forming such heads is to provide separate pre- oulded caps of any colour or pattern for insertion into the open ended cylinder (19). The bottom of the cap which is uppermost as it lies in the open cylinder is briefly heated with a direct gas jet until it is molten as are the filaments which protrude from the tube around the cordage. When both molten plastic portions are pushed together in the open cylinder or tube (18) an instant weld occurs. It will be appreciated that any rope provided with such a head affords greater security when knotted permitting knots to be tied with shorter ends which "fail-safe" upon slipping. Whippings and seizings
to retain "hard" or "soft eyes" are both safer and simpler made with cordage which is capped at the end. Using such a three-part twisted rope it is possible to splice a "soft eye" into it almost instantly by passing the capped end through the parted strands of the standing part and leaving it there, rather like a button in a hole.
Figure 6. illustrates another form of heat or stud (30) which may be formed in accordance with the invention on the end of a synthetic rope or line (31). The top surface of this stud (30) may be also attractively formed with a raised or indented pattern or a trade motif. The formed stud illustrated in Fig. 6 protrudes into the rope core owing to the shape of the forming die.
The new stud terminal w ll greatly influence the future use of cordage. For instance most knots when tied with such a terminal will appear much neater, having no protruding ends, and also be more secure as the stud will act as a "safety-catch" should the turns start to slip, the knot would then "fail-safe". Even a simple "half-hitch" tied ' with the new stud terminal will lock tightly upon it and become a secure knot in its own right. Conventional splices of laid rope will also tend to give way to a new type of splice. "Soft- eye" rope loops may now be rapidly formed by simply "buttoning" the stud terminal through the laid rope at a suitable point (when it is held there unable to return). This procedure may be repeated if desired although the single "tuck" is usually adequate even when making a "hard eye" around a heart-thimble fitting. It is interesting to note that experiments have shown that when such a rope "eye" is subjected to loading, the standing part of the rope tightens so tightly upon the rope with its terminal stud that little or no load actually falls upon the stud itself. A special ring, washer or parrel bead
of plastic or metal may be used adjacent to the stud to enlarge the area of the formed head before both are passed through the lay of the three or preferably four part cordage. Such a washer should be provided with an aperture approximately the same in diameter to that of the cordage whilst the underside of it may well be radiused to avoid any undue chafing of the rope. The stud head could be recessed into the top of the washer. Such a rope would be ideal "for use as a vehicle tow-rope or for "instant" splicing to yachts' fenders. These splices are also rapidly removable without cutting.
The new stud terminal may also be used to "seize- back" a bare end after knotting a line about some object with round-turns or half-hitches instead of using a conventional seizing. This method permits the stud terminal simply to be passed through the parted strands of the standing part of the three or four part laid rope. Braided lines with stud terminals are also easily fastened to canvas thimbles or other objects by using warmed plastic sleeves which shrink and hold both lines after a bight has been pulled through such a sleeve with the use of another bight of smaller pilot line leaving a "soft-eye" of braided line of the required size. This "soft-eye" is passed into the thimble then the bare-end of the line is passed through the soft-eye and closed-up in the thimble. The stud terminal bears on the plastic sleeve but is unable to pass through it. Any slipping of the soft-eye would tend to "fail-safe".
It should be stated that even a conventional seizing around a rope loop having a stud terminal can only "fail-safe" should it tend to slip. In addition to special rings and washers, toggles may be joined to the cordage by stud terminals if it is desired to provide a larger head for a particular reason. The head of the stud itself may be recessed
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below the upper surface of the special washer or toggle to protect the stud from undue wear and tear.
The new soft and hard eyes provided in accordance with this invention, and the knots with stud terminals, are by no means the only methods by which synthetic cordage may be fastened to other objects. It is only necessary to provide the latter with one or more special attachment holes. These should be of a diameter which is " similar to that of the cordage, or very nearly so. The bottom edges of the hole are preferably radiused or chamfered to lessen friction, particularly those of the final exit aperture, as illustrated in Fig. 7, which shows a tent guy rope tog . gle (32) with the rope stud (30) secured in a single restricted aperture.
To attach cordage to a fitting provided with one or more restricted diameter holes for attachment a pointed end of the rope is passed into one or more of the holes provided. It is then securely retained by the oversized shoulders of the terminal stud (30) which cannot enter the restricted aperture. The loading on the rope should preferably be exerted at right angles to the attachment hole when only one is used. When two or more holes are employed the loading can be spread by lacing, as illustrated in Figure 7, or even reversed in direction. However, for many applications one attachment hole will suffice for the terminal stud is directly formed of and attached to every single filament of the cordage and experiments have shown it is well able to withstand direct snatching loading exerted directly onto its shoulders from beneath without attempting to reduce it by spreading it over other holes by lacing.
Referring to Figure 8, a method in accordance with the invention of heat-forming suitable stud terminals is to use a forming tool having a metal tube (35) of similar size to the cordage diameter and of any convenient wall thickness. One of its
ends may be larger than the other and knurled or covered with a plastic sleeve (36) to afford a finger grip. A second outer metal tube (37) is provided sliding telescopically upon the first tube. Its wall thickness is optional but its internal diameter corresponds to that of the head of the required stud terminal. This tube is closely fitting but free to slide up and down the inner tube. A third and separate portion comprises the two-headed die (38). Its ends may be shaped as desired but the thinner shaft must be an easy fit into one end of the inner aluminium tube (35) whilst the wider must fit similarly into the outer aluminium tube
(37) when required. An outer plastic sleeve or cap (39) forms a push-fit over both the inner tube end and the wider part of the two-headed die serving to retain all three parts of the tool conveniently closed together when not in use.
To form a terminal stud upon a rope the inner two-headed die (38) is removed from the tool and the thinner end of it pushed vertically down into a hole drilled in the bench, leaving the wider die end protruding above it. A pointed end of the cordage is then threaded through the inner aluminium tube (35) and any convenient length of it is left protruding from the end. To form a deep stud requires a longer length than is needed for a shallower one. The protruding rope is best wire-brushed and the separated filaments spread out, like a dandelion in seed, at the end of the tube. The outer tube is held in the fingers of one hand whilst the end of the inner tube, holding the rope, is rotated back and forth with the splayed filaments held in or near a low heat-source, e.g. a methylated spirit lamp or a butane flame. Should the rope try and revolve also it may be wedged in the tube end so as to prevent it using a slim nail or match-stick.
The fibres soon melt in the low heat and form a molten mass at the end of the tube. At this point the outer telescopic tube (37) is slid down the inner tube so as to completely cover the molten plastic. A line around the inner tubing serves to denote the limit to which it may be extended without falling off.
The extended telescopic mould may now be pressed down firmly onto any suitable flat polished surface when it will collapse and form a neat, strong plastic stud within the outer tube; this stud will be completely formed regardless of the amount of plastics material melted for the purpose. In other words the telescopic mould automatically compensates, adjusting to the volume of molten plastic provided. Alternatively, the extended telescopic mould may be located upon the wider protruding end of the die (38) held upright in a hole in the bench and pressed firmly down upon it, when a stud will similarly be perfectly formed of whatever molten plastics material is available but with a neatly formed head shaped by the die, which preferably possesses a protruding central portion which "keys" the molten plastic well into the core of the cordage and spreads the available molten plastics material economically over the head providing deep strong shoulders where they are required around the edges of the stud.
This tool is able to provide another facility. In order to introduce cordage into the restricted attachment holes previously described it is necessary to shape or trim one end of the rope. This can also be done by the tool using the thinner end (40) of the die protruding upwards from a hole in the bench. The splayed cordage fibres are rotated near flame as before and when molten withdrawn a short distance into the inner tubing. The latter is then located upon the thinner, protruding die and the tube pushed firmly down causing the die to form
the molten plastic in the inner tubing into a neatly sealed or "whipped" rope's end. The smaller portion of the die is provided with a pointed end (40) so when the die is withdrawn from the tube so also is the impaled, adhering cordage.
As previously mentioned, this tool, being telescopic, has a variable cubic capacity within its compression chamber thereby automatically compensating its capacity to the volume of the molten plastic material inside it and generating internal pressure as it collapses upon the plastic within.
However, it is not only the depth of the stud or stopper which may be varied but also the diameter.
This is done by adding a thicker adaptor tube around the innermost tube (35) which is in contact with the cordage, with a larger, telescopic outer tube outside it, which will, as before, be used to slide down over the molten ' pi astic before it is telescopically collapsed and form a wider diameter stud either upon a convenient polished metal surface or upon another die.
When it is required to form studs on both ends of a line the innermost tube around it may be split, being retained in position both by the telescopic outer sleeve of the mould at one end and at the other by a "push-fitting" outer sleeve either of plastic or metal, which may be knurled upon its surface. Both those outer sleeves are large enough to slide off the rope over the head of the formed stud allowing the split inner tube to fall apart.
A special link, or toggle, of metal of plastics material for use with cordage provided with terminal studs may be provided. It may be shaped as desired but is preferably oval having two flat surfaces and provided with two or more apertures for the attachment of the studded cordage by lacing. These holes should be restricted to the approximate diameter of the cordage but other larger holes may be provided T,
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to accept and link shackles or other fittings to the studded cordage. Such links are of particular use with braided lines which are so difficult to splice. If desired the head of the stud may be recessed flush with the surface of the link so as to protect it from impact.
Fig. 9 shows a braided line (45) with a stud terminal (46) . secured to any anchorage or fitting by means of a two apertured link (47) of metal or plastics material. Between the anchorage and the link, both lines pass through a short length of plastic tubing (48), preferably polythene, which acts as a flexible buffer to reduce sudden snatch- loading. Such an arrangement could well secure the rope around a heart-thimble of metal or plastics or to the eye of any fitting. An alternative to this link would be to use a polythene or plastics extrusion, oval in section, with two separate round channels or ducts running side by side through its length, as illustrated in Fig. 10 which shows a short length of such an extrusion used as a link (50) between a braided or laid line (51) with a stud (52) terminal and any suitable anchorage or fitting (53). A metal or plastics washer (54) is shown providing a seating between the stud terminal and the top of the extrusion. The two apertured link used in Fig. 9 . may have its holes radiused or chamfered as required to obviate undue chafing of the cordage (45). A special heart-thimble of plastics or metal may also be provided for use with studded rope and plastic extrusions. Such thimbles may have an integral pointed triangular wedge .added at the apex (wider at its base than the point) designed to locate and enter the base of any plastics tubing located on a bight of line adjacent to its terminal stud thus forming a rope-eye. The heart-thimble is placed in this eye and all closed-up so that the pointed
wedge at its apex enters the base of the plastic tube forcing the two lines within it apart and pressing them tightly onto the inner walls of the sleeve. Since the terminal stud, with or without the use of the proposed link, cannot enter -the upper end of the tube the whole assembly is secured.
Braided lines with terminal studs are also easily fastened to thimbles in canvas or other fittings by the use of a short length of plastics tubing which may be previously heated. The line is drawn through the sleeve until the stud rests on its rim and then is passed through the thimble and pushed up through the sleeve in the reverse direction and all closed-up securely. If heated previously the sleeve shrinks tightly on both lines. The inner rim of the stud may be cut off, if desired, to prevent chafing the other line.
It will be appreciated that since the telescopic tool is tubular it can be stationed upon ropes which are marketed on drums in chandleries so that a length of cordage being sold could be pulled out through the tube and heat-treated with either a terminal stud or a neatly "whip-sealed" end according to the customer's requirement. Another embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to Figure 11. The tool comprises an inner tube (60) preferably of metal internally chamfered at either end, although preferably provided with a belled end (61) if desired. One end of tube (60) may be knurled or otherwise serrated to provide a finger-grip (62). An outer sleeve
(63) of metal slides telescopically upon inner tube (60) and is removable therefrom. A separate rod
(64) preferably of metal, is provided of approximately the same size in diameter as that of the bore of inner tube (60). Each end of the rod (64) may terminate in differing dies (65) and (66), shaped as required, and its outside may be knurled. Other dies may
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be provided. Such a die (67), shown in cross-section in Fig. 11D, has a circular upper ledge (68) of similar diameter as " the outside of sleeve (63) and a lower portion (69) shaped as required to form a stopper. A second rod (70) may also be provided. As shown in Fig. 11C, it is knurled upon its outside and carries different dies (71) and (72) at respective ends thereof, which may carry Trade Marks if required. The diameter of the rod (70) is equivalent to that of the bore of the sleeve (63).
In order to heat-seal a rope's end to prevent fraying, the latter is first bound with a single turn of masking tape. This is then cut squarely across to provide a clean-cut end which is passed through the inner tube (60) via the knurled end (62) to emerge and protrude some 10 - 15mm beyond the belled end (61). This protruding portion is un-taped and then unravelled. These fibres are then splayed out, like the head of a dandelion in seed, from the belled end (61) and held a few inches above a domestic gas ring, as illustrated in Fig. 12. The tool is then revolved to and fro as indicated by the double headed arrow, holding the sleeve (63) with the fingers of one hand and turning knurled end (62) with those of the other hand. The heated filaments soon melt into a molten mass (73) near the belled end (61) of the inner tube (60). When the mass (72) ceases to smoke it is sufficiently cool to be drawn inside tube (60) by pulling the cordage protruding from knurled end (62), via the belled aperture (61) which serves to guide the softened plastics material inside tube (60) without danger of parting it from the rope. Once well inside, rod (64) is quickly inserted after it and the molten mass (73) is firmly tamped with the selected die (65 or 66) in order to seal the cordage into a neat industrial finish.
It is also possible to seal together the ends of a rope that has been unravelled. The tool is used in a similar way but this time rope is drawn out of its belled end (61) for the distance required to form an eye-splice, and unravelled. Then all but 10 - 15mm of the unravelled portion is drawn back into the tube. The protruding fibres are revolved over heat as. before then pulled quickly through and out of the tube (60) via knurled end (62). A soft circular tube of plastics material will be seen to have formed, holding every fibre together. This should be gently squeezed with a pair of pliers to provide a chiselled end to be used as marline spike to form an attractive new eye-splice when woven back through the standing part of a laid rope, passing under one strand and over the next, drawing with it all the supple unravelled synthetic fibres in a single, very wide strand, instead of the usual three complicated elements of the traditional eye- splice.
In order to form a stopper at a rope's end, the tool is reversed and the rope is introduced via its belled end (61). Then, as before, some
10 - 15mm of unravelled cordage is allowed to protrude from the knurled end (62). This is gently heated as the tool is revolved near an open flame, or even in the airstream of an electric paint stripper, holding the outer sleeve (63) stationary with the fingers of one hand as the inner tube (62) revolves within it. Should the rope inside be a loose .fit it may be packed with a few turns of masking tape to form a closer fit. The protruding fibres soon form a molten mass (73) at the end of tube (2).
At this point, the outer sleeve (63) is made to slide down the inner tube (60) to completely cover the molten plastics material and leave it about halfway inside the sleeve. the extended telescopic tool may now be pressed down squarely onto any
convenient flat polished metal surface, when it will collapse to form a strong plastics stopper within outer sleeve (63). The said stopper's depth will vary depending entirely upon the volume of the rope which has been turned . into plastic, but the tool automatically adjusts to form whatever amount of plastic that is available. An alternative way to form a stopper is to extend sleeve (63) to cover the molten mass (73) as before, then, holding the tool vertically with the open end of the sleeve (63) pointed downwards locate - its open end into the open upper ledge (75) of a die (74). Then holding sleeve (63) squarely in position the inner tube (60) is collapsed into the sleeve, pressing it firmly down, thereby injecting the molten mass (73) within the sleeve into the cavity (76) of the die, as does any injection moulding machine.
The rod (70), illustrated in Fig. 11C, is optional and may carry different - dies (71,72) at respective ends thereof. These may carry Trademarks if desired to impress upon the head of any stopper formed within sleeve (63) by introduction into its open end and pressing the requisite die onto the molten plastic within. This can be done conveniently holding both rod (70) and the extended tool parallel to the ground. Stoppers may also be formed inside sleeve (63) upon unravelled cordage housed in the inner tube (60). A stopper on such unravelled rope serves well as a finish to any splice made with the rope. Unlike the stoppers formed upon rope disposed in moulds of injection moulding machines by adding compatible plastics material around the said cordage, the stoppers formed in the present tool from melted rope itself are attached firmly to every single fibre of that rope. Nor are these stoppers bulky but instead are quite small and neat.
The new tool can form stoppers on both braided and laid cordage. There are great advantages to
be derived from stoppered ropes. If a rope is of laid construction, its stoppered end can be passed once or more through the parted strands of the cordage to form an almost instant eye-splice which tests have proved to be extremely strong and which may just as quickly be undone in order to release some fitting or object retained on the eye.
In addition, all knots and seizings tied at the ends of the stoppered ropes are both neater and safer. If any known knot is tied on such laid cordage, upon completion its stoppered end may be passed through the opened strands of its standing part to safely lock there and ensure that the knot can never fail through slipping. When it is required to form stoppers at both ends of a line the inner tube (60) may be provided with a split to form two half-tubes which are retained in 'position around the rope by the outer sleeve (63) and also by another "push-fitting" outer sleeve of metal or plastic at the other end. The close fit required can be improved by providing raised pimples upon the outside end of each half-tube, by punching dimples upon the inside thereof. In operation, after forming a stopper with this split tool both outer sleeves may be removed, being large enough to pass over the stopper, allowing the inner tube to fall in half along its axis.
In order to form a stopper upon a rope which is smaller in diameter than the bore of the tool's inner tube (60), it is necessary to pack the rope with several turns of masking tape so as to closely fit the end of the inner tube (60) from which the rope emerges.
With regard to the eye-splices made by passing the stopper at the end of a laid rope through the parted strands of its standing part, it has been observed that when such a rope is loaded heavily its strands tighten so strongly upon itself, just
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below the stopper, that little of the load falls upon the stopper. This was proved by testing many single "tuck" eye-splices to destruction. The cordage always failed first, never a stopper.
Single "tuck" eye splices are so quick to make that they may well replace many knots. For instance it is just as fast to secure a dinghy to a yacht with such a splice as to tie it conventionally. It also seems probable that in future such rope- eyes will be used to replace common seizings with the added advantage that the seizing may be undone if required.
It will be appreciated that the tubular telescopic tool can be permanently stationed to run upon cordage which is marketed from revolving drums in chandleries so that a length of rope to be sold could be pulled through the tube and heat-finished according to the customer's requirements.