Spring elements of essentially the same kind are known in the art and are used, among other things, for mooring ropes for boats, for providing a damping additional stretch when a pulling force is applied in a rope holding the spring element.

The prior art is, however, associated with significant disadvantages. In some cases the spring element has to be thread onto the rope, which takes time and is difficult, since the rope, which is usually very rigid, has to be bent in bends having small bending radii and since holes for pulling the rope through, having almost the same diameter as the rope must be used to lock the element and the rope to each other, enabling the pulling force on the element. This also implies that the element must be carefully adapted to the dimension of the rope and that a number of different fasten- ing elements are required to cover a particular interval of rope dimensions.

The present invention, among other things, solves the problems stated above, in that it does not have to be thread onto the rope but can be arranged in the desired posi- tion along the rope, and in that a particular element can be used for a wide interval of rope dimensions.

Below the invention will be described in more detail in connection with embodi- ments and the appended drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates a first embodiment of a spring element according to the inven- tion seen from the side and arranged near a schematically shown pull element,

Figure 2 illustrates a second embodiment of a spring element according to the in- vention seen as in Figure 1, Figure 3 shows the spring element shown in Figure 1 laid out substantially in one plane, the frame element of the spring element being seen from below relative to Figure 1, Figure 4 shows the spring element according to Figure 3 seen from the opposite side compared to Figure 3, Figure 5 is a sectional view 1 according to Figure 4, Figure 6 is a sectional view 2 according to Figure 4, Figure 7 shows the spring element according to Figure 1 seen from the right in Fig- ure 1.

In Figure 1 the reference number 1 denotes a spring element according to the inven- tion, comprising a frame element 2 arranged to form an elongated recess 3, Figure 2, into which a portion 4, substantially bent to form a U shape, a loop portion, of a pull element 5, is intended to be introduced as shown schematically in Figure 1. The ref- erence number 6 denotes a crossbar, arranged to be removably provided near the frame element and extend across the recess and to rest against the frame element, which is also shown schematically in Figure 1. The pull element in the loop portion is intended to extend across the crossbar, whereby the spring element is removably arranged at the pull element.

At least the frame element is made from a resilient material, preferably a material which, after deformation caused by a load resumes its original shape. According to

preferred embodiments the crossbar is at one end 7 pivotably attached to the frame element and arranged to be pivoted towards and away from the frame element.

According to the shown embodiment the frame element has a substantially rectangu- lar configuration and forms a substantially rectangular recess. The long sides of the recess preferably somewhat exceed twice the diameter of the thickest pull element with which the spring element is intended to be used.

Likewise preferred is an embodiment in which the frame element has a greater ma- terial thickness at least at the part 8 of its long sides 9 at which the crossbar is in- tended to rest, than at its short sides 9.

An embodiment is shown in which the crossbar comprises two grooves 10, one for each long side 9 of the frame element, in which a part 8 of a long side of the frame element is intended to be introduced, thus supporting the crossbar. It is also pre- ferred that the crossbar at its portion 11 facing away from the frame element when in its attached position, comprises a rounded recess 12 against which the pull ele- ment is intended to rest.

Also according to the shown embodiment the crossbar is connected to the frame element through a pliant, relatively thin portion 13 of material, whereby the frame element and the crossbar are connected to a unit and preferably intended to be manufactured in one piece, preferably laid out substantially in one common plane.

The function of the spring element according to the invention should have been made clear in the above. For arranging the spring element in the desired position along a pull element such as a mooring rope or a tow-line, the crossbar is made to take its position pivoted away from the frame element. The pull element is bent to a U-shaped configuration, a loop portion is introduced in the recess corresponding to from below in Figure 1. The crossbar is introduced in the loop portion and arranged

at the frame element. When applying a pulling force in the pull element the pull element extends from the frame element in different directions at the side of the frame element facing away from the crossbar and extends across the crossbar, whereby a pulling force is applied. For example the spring element may be pulled and stretched towards a spring force and in such a way that an additional damping stretch to that of the pull element is provided by the spring element, for example if the pull element is pulled abruptly.

As should also have been made clear in the above the spring element according to the invention solves the problems with which prior art solutions are associated.

Above, the invention has been described in connection with embodiments. Of course other embodiments as well as small modifications and amendments are per- ceivable without leaving the underlying inventive idea.

Thus, the crossbar and the frame element may comprise means for fixing the cross- bar at the frame element, and extruding portions 14 of the crossbar, for example in said grooves, and corresponding recesses 15 in the frame element, or vice versa, whereby the crossbar can be snapped onto the frame element. According to pre- ferred embodiments the parts 8 comprise two pairs of opposite elevations 16, ar- ranged to prevent the crossbar 6 from being displaced perpendicular to its longitudi- nal direction when arranged in its position resting against the portions 8, that is, in the longitudinal direction of said portions 8.

The invention should therefore not be considered as limited to the embodiments stated above, but may be modified within the scope of the claims.