NL2017779B1 - Rope. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a rope (1) having a first rope-eye (21) and a second rope-eye (22) at the opposite rope ends. The rope comprises a coiled and non-endless line (30) having a first line-eye (31) and a second line-eye (32) at the opposite line ends. The first line-eye is a constituent part of the first rope-eye. The second line-eye is a constituent part of either the second rope-eye or the first rope-eye. The rope also comprises a first line engager (51), which engages the line such that all first line segments (31, 41) within the first rope-eye are maintained mutually parallel and adjacent. The rope further comprises a similar second line engager (52) for the second rope-eye. Thanks to the coiled and non-endless line with its line-eyes, and thanks to the line engagers, the invention provides improved reliability, efficiency and lifetime of the rope.

Description

Patent center

The Netherlands

© 2017779 (21) Request number: 2017779 © Request submitted: 11/14/2016

Bl. PATENT (51) Int. CL:

D07B 1/18 (2017.01)

(T) Application registered: (73) Patent holder (s): 25/05/2018 Lankhorst Euronete Portugal S.A. at Maia, Portugal, PT. (43) Application published: (72) Inventor (s): (ff) Patent granted: Rui Pedro de Sousa Faria in Sneek. 25/05/2018 (45) Patent issued: (ff) Authorized representative: 11/06/2018 ir. C.M. Jansen et al. In The Hague.

(54) Rope.

© The invention relates to a rope (1) having a first rope eye (21) and a second rope eye (22) at the opposite rope ends. The rope comprises a coiled and non-endless line (30) having a first line-eye (31) and a second line-eye (32) at the opposite line ends. The first line eye is a constituent part of the first rope eye. The second line eye is a constituent part of either the second rope eye or the first rope eye. The rope also comprises a first line engager (51), which engages the line such that all first line segments (31, 41) within the first rope eye are maintained mutually parallel and adjacent. The rope further comprises a similar second line engager (52) for the second rope eye. Thanks to the coiled and non-endless line with its line eyes, and thanks to the line engagers, the invention provides improved reliability, efficiency and lifetime of the rope.

NL Bl 2017779

This patent has been granted regardless of the attached result of the research into the state of the art and written opinion. The patent corresponds to the documents originally submitted.

Title: Rope.

The invention relates to a rope having a first rope eye at a first rope end of the rope, a second rope eye at a second rope end of the rope opposite to the first rope end, and an intermediate rope section in-between the first rope-eye and the second rope-eye, the rope has a reference use condition in which the rope is hero in tension between a first external attachment object passing through the first rope-eye and a second external attachment object passing through the second rope eye.

Such a rope may be used as a lifting rope, via which a crane may be connected to a load to allow the crane to lift the load. In case of using such a lifting rope the said first external attachment object may be a hook on the end of the crane, and the second external attachment object may be a hook formed by a cargo net or the like that secures the load for lifting.

A rope of the type as initially identified above is known from US 2014/070557 A1 (hereinafter "US" 557 "). See for example the rope 20 or Figs. 1-5 or US "557. This known rope 20 is formed from a line 30. As seen in Figs. 3 of US "557, this line 30 is an endless line formed by a length or rope cut to a predetermined length, and whose opposite ends have been spliced together at a splice region 36. As seen in FIG. 3 or US "557, the endless line 30 is coiled such that a multiple of loops is formed, i.e. the six loops 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d, 34e, and 34f. The coiled-and-endless character of the line 30 leads to the occurrence of various crossings between line segments or respective loops of the line 30. These crossings or line segments are clearly seen in Figs. 3 or US "557. Such crossings or line segments are also seen in the other ropes 120 and 220 or US "557, see Figs. 6 and 7 or US "557.

A drawback of the ropes known from US "557 is that during rope usage said crossings or line segments promote locally increased abrasion in these ropes. The resulting vulnerable local portions of these known ropes have a negative effect on efficiency and lifetime of these known ropes.

It is an object of the invention to provide a solution according to which the rope of the type as initially identified above can be designed with high reliability, high efficiency and long lifetime.

For that purpose the invention provides a rope according to the appended independent claim 1. Specific and the invention are set forth in the appended dependent claims 2-14.

Hence, the invention provides a rope having a first rope eye at a first rope end of the rope, a second rope eye at a second rope end of the rope opposite to the first rope end, and an intermediate rope section in-between the first rope-eye and the second rope-eye, the rope has a reference use condition in which the rope is a hero in tension between a first external attachment object passing through the first rope-eye and a second external attachment object passing through the second rope-eye, characterized in that the rope, as seen in said reference use condition, comprises:

• a line having a first line eye at a first line end of the line, and a second line eye at a second line end of the line opposite to the first line end, where:

- the line in its longitudinal direction is extending along a coiled path so as to form one and a half or more windings of the line,

- said one and a half or more windings of the line are defining at least one first U-turn like line segment or the line, at least one second Uturn like line segment or the line, and a multiple of mutually parallel and adjacent intermediate line segments of the line,

- said at least one first U-turn like line segment is extending at the first rope eye or the rope and is a constituent part of the first rope eye or the rope, said at least one second U-turn like line segment is extending at the second rope eye of the rope and is a constituent part of the second rope3 eye of the rope and said intermediate line segments are extending inbetween the first rope eye and the second rope eye and are constituent parts of the intermediate rope section of the rope,

- the first line eye is extending at the first rope eye and is a constituent part of the first rope eye, and

- either the second line eye is extending at the first rope eye while being a constituent part of the first rope eye, or the second line eye is extending at the second rope eye while being a constituent part of the second rope -eye;

• a first line engager configured to engage the line such that all first line segments or the line within the first rope eye, i.e.

- each one of the least one first U-turn like line segment,

- the first line eye, and

- in case the second line eye is a constituent part of the first rope eye, the second line eye, are maintained in a substantially mutually parallel and mutually adjacent relationship; and • a second line engager configured to engage the line such that all second line segments of the line within the second rope eye, i.e.

- each of the at least one second U-turn like line segment, and

- in case the second line-eye is a constituent part of the second rope-eye, the second-line-eye, are maintained in a substantially mutually parallel and mutually adjacent relationship.

Thanks to the line, which is a coiled and non-endless line having the first and second line eyes at its opposite ends, and thanks to the first and second line engagers, which maintain all said first and second line segments in a substantially mutually parallel and mutually adjacent relationship within the respective first and second rope eyes, it is possible to arrange the coiled non-endless line of the rope according to the invention in such manner that the occurrence of crossings or line segments of the line during said reference use condition is eliminated. Hence, the invention obviates the abovementioned drawback that the abovementioned known ropes suffer from locally increased abrasion during rope usage. Due, in view of the more regular mutual arrangements or the line segments within the rope, the invention provides improved reliability, efficiency and lifetime. In addition it is noted that, thanks to the first line eye being a constituent part of the first rope eye and the second line eye being a constituent part of either the second rope eye or the second rope eye, the reliability , efficiency and lifetime of the rope according to the invention are further improved, especially in cases when the rope is often used under high tension loads.

In a preferred embodiment or a rope according to the invention the second line eye is a constituent part of the first rope eye. Thanks to this, high symmetry of the arrangement of the intermediate line segments in the intermediate rope section can be obtained, which under certain kind of circumstances may be favored in respect of effectivity and / or reliability and / or efficiency and / or lifetime of the rope.

In another preferable embodiment or a rope according to the invention the second line eye is a constituent part of the second rope eye. Thanks to this, the first and second rope eyes can be designed with high mutual resemblance as to the compositions of their first and second line segments, respectively, which under certain kind of circumstances may be favored in respect of effectivity and / or reliability and / or efficiency and / or lifetime of the rope.

In a further preferred embodiment of a rope according to the invention, the rope, as seen in said reference use condition, further comprises an intermediate line engager configured to engage the line such that said intermediate line segments are all maintained in a substantially mutually parallel and mutually adjacent relationship within the intermediate rope section. Thanks to the intermediate line engager, more regular mutual arrangements of the intermediate line segments within the rope can be obtained and maintained, which under certain kind of circumstances may be favored in respect of effectivity and / or reliability and / or efficiency and / or lifetime of the rope.

In further preferable out of a rope according to the invention, the first line eye at the first line end of the line has been obtained by forming a first splice between two different first portions of the line, and / or the second line eye at the second line end of the line has been obtained by forming a second splice between two different second portions of the line. One of the major benefits of the application of such a first splice and / or second splice is that it is a compact solution for realizing the first line eye and / or the second line eye.

In further preferable out of a rope according to the invention, the first line engager and / or second line engager and / or intermediate line engager include a first jacket and / or second jacket and / or intermediate jacket, respectively, around said first line segments and / or second line segments and / or intermediate line segments, respectively, within the first rope eye and / or second rope eye and / or intermediate rope section, respectively. This provides protection of the rope against external abrasion.

In further preferable out of a rope according to the invention the first jacket and / or second jacket and / or intermediate jacket define (s) a various or separate first compartments and / or second compartments and / or intermediate compartments, respectively, configured to receive respective ones of said first line segments and / or second line segments and / or intermediate line segments, respectively, within the first rope eye and / or second rope eye and / or intermediate rope section, respectively. These compartments are very effective for maintaining the line segments concerned in a substantially mutually parallel and mutually adjacent relationship.

In further preferable out of a rope according to the invention, the first jacket and / or second jacket and / or intermediate jacket is / are a first cloth and / or second cloth and / or intermediate cloth, respectively, and the separate first compartments and / or second compartments and / or intermediate compartments, respectively, are first pockets and / or second pockets and / or intermediate pockets, respectively, formed by stitching that attaches portions of the first cloth and / or second cloth and / or intermediate cloth, respectively , together. One of the major benefits of the application of such cloths with stitching is that it is a compact solution for realizing the jackets concerned with the compartments concerned.

In the following, the invention is further elucidated with reference to non-limiting expires and with reference to the schematic figures in the attached drawing, in which the following is shown.

FIG. 1 shows in perspective view a first example of a line for use in a first embodiment of a rope according to the invention, for reasons of clarity the line is shown with its windings being stretched out a bit in transverse directions.

FIG. 2 shows the line of Fig. 1 again, in the same perspective view as in FIG. 1, but this time without the windings or the line being stretched out as in Fig. 1.

FIG. 3 shows, in the same perspective view as in Fig. 1, an example or said first embodiment or a rope according to the invention, said the rope comprises the line as shown in FIG. 2, and the rope further comprises first examples of the abovementioned first line engager, second line engager, and intermediate line engager or a rope according to the invention, and according to the rope is shown in its abovementioned reference use condition.

FIG. 4 shows said first embodiment rope or Fig. 3 in a view from above, this time together with first and second external attachment objects passing through the first and second rope eyes, respectively, and holding the rope in tension.

FIGs. 5A, 5B, 5C show, for said first embodiment rope, views on the transverse cross-sectional planes, which are shown and indicated in FIG. 4 by the arrows V-A, V-B, V-C, respectively.

FIG. 6 shows in perspective view and analogous to Fig. 1 a second example or a line for use in a second edition or a rope according to the invention, for reasons of clarity the line is shown with its windings being stretched out a bit in transverse directions.

FIG. 7 shows in a view from above and analogous to Figs. 4 an example or said second embodiment or a rope according to the invention, said the rope comprising the line of Figs. 6, but this time without the windings or the line being stretched out as in Fig. 6, and the rope further comprises second examples of the abovementioned first line engager, second line engager, and intermediate line engager or a rope according to the invention, and according to the rope is shown in its abovementioned reference use condition with first and second external attachment objects passing through the first and second rope eyes, respectively, and holding the rope in tension.

FIGs. 8A, 8B, 8C show, for said second embodiment rope, views on the transverse cross-sectional planes, which are shown and indicated in FIG. 7 by the arrows VIII-A, VIII-B, VIII-C, respectively.

FIGs. 9A, 9B show examples of arrangements for the first line engager and the first line segments, to illustrate some of the various possible alternatives to the arrangements of Figs. 5A.

FIGs. 10A, 10B show examples of arrangements for the second line engager and the second line segments, to illustrate some of the various possible alternatives to the arrangements of Figs. 8C.

The reference signs used in Figs. 1 through 10B are referring to the abovementioned parts and aspects of the invention, as well as to related parts and aspects, in the following manner.

1; 101 rope 11; 111 first rope end 12; 112 second rope end 21; 121 first rope eye 22; 122 second rope eye 23; 123 intermediate rope section 30; 130 line 31; 131; 231 first line eye 32; 132 second line eye 41; 141; 241; 342 first U-turn like line segment 42; 142 second U-turn like line segment 44, 45; 144, 145 intermediate line segments 51; 151; 251 first line engager 251A, 251B, 251C first line engager parts 52; 152; 352 second line engager 352A, 352B, 352C second line engager parts 61; 161 first line end 62; 162 second line end 70; 170; 270; 370 stitching 81; 181 first splice 82; 182 second splice 91; 191 first external attachment object 92; 192 second external attachment object

Reference is first made to Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5A, 5B, 5C, which illustrate the first embodiment rope 1 according to the invention.

FIGs. 1 and 2 separately show the line 30 of the rope 1. It is seen that the line 30 has the first line eye 31 at the first line end 61 or the line and the second line eye 32 at the second line end 62 or the line. In the example shown, the first line-eye 31 has been obtained by forming a first splice 81 between two different first portions of the line 30, and the second line-eye 32 has been obtained by forming a second splice 82 between two different second portions of the line 30.

In its longitudinal direction the line 30 is extending along a coiled path so as to form one and a half or more windings of the line. In the example shown the number of windings is four and a half. As seen in Figs. 1 and 2, the line 30 has four first U-turn like line segments 41 on the left side, four second U-turn like line segments 42 on the right side, four intermediate line segments 44 on the back side, and five intermediate line segments 45 on the front side.

FIG. 3 shows the first embodiment rope 1, formed by the line 30, together with the first line engager 51, the second line engager 52, and the intermediate line engager 53. The first U-turn like line segments 41 and the first line-eye 31 are constituent parts of the first rope-eye 21 of the rope 1, the second U-turn like line segments 42 and the second line-eye 32 are constituent parts of the second rope-eye 22 of the rope and the intermediate line segments 44 and 45 are constituent parts of the intermediate rope section 23 of the rope.

The first line engager 51 engages the line 30 such that the first line segments 31, 41 within the first rope-eye 21 are all maintained in a substantially mutually parallel and mutually adjacent relationship. The second line engager 52 engages the line 30 such that the second line segments 32, 42 within the second rope eye 22 are all maintained in a substantially mutually parallel and mutually adjacent relationship. The intermediate line engager 53 engages the line 30 such that the intermediate line segments 44, 45 are all maintained in a substantially mutually parallel and mutually adjacent relationship within the intermediate rope section 23.

In other words, in the rope 1 all line segments or the line 30 are maintained in a substantially mutually parallel and mutually adjacent relationship. Hence, unlike the ropes known from US 2014/070557 A1 (discussed in the introduction of the present document), in the rope 1 of the present invention no crossings occur between line segments or respective windings of the line 30. Negative, one of the advantages of the present invention is that it obviates the drawback of the ropes known from US 2014/070557 All that these known ropes suffer from locally increased abrasion during rope usage due to the occurrence of various crossings in these known ropes.

FIG. 4 shows the rope 1, together with the first external attachment object 91 passing through the first rope eye 21 and the second external attachment object 92 passing through the second rope eye 22, being the first and second external attachment object 91, 92 are holding the rope 1 in tension.

With additional reference to Figs. 5A, 5B, 5C, the figures illustrate that the first line engager 51, the second line engager 52, and the intermediate line engager 53 are formed as a jacket around the line segments concerned, ie the first jacket 51, the second jacket 52, and the intermediate jacket 53, respectively, around the first line segments 31, 41, the second line segments 32, 42, and the intermediate line segments 44, 45, respectively, within the first rope eye 21, the second rope eye 22 , and the intermediate rope section 23, respectively. This provides protection of the rope against external abrasion.

Especially the Figs. 5A and 5C further and more particularly illustrate that the first jacket 51 and the second jacket 52 each define a various or separate first compartments and second compartments, respectively, configured to receive respective ones of the first line segments

31, 41 and the second line segments 32, 42, respectively, within the first rope eye 21 and the second rope eye 22, respectively. These compartments are very effective for maintaining the line segments concerned in a substantially mutually parallel and mutually adjacent relationship.

Yet more particularly the Figs. 5A and 5C further illustrate that the first jacket 51 and the second jacket 52 are formed as a first cloth 51 and a second cloth 52, respectively, and that are the separate first compartments and second compartments, respectively, are first pockets and second pockets, respectively , formed by stitching 70 that attaches portions of the first cloth 51 and the second cloth 52, respectively, together. One of the major benefits of the application of such cloths 51, 52 with stitching 70 is that it is a compact solution for realizing the jackets concerned with the compartments concerned.

With reference to Fig. 5B, it is noted that in the example shown the intermediate jacket 53 does not define a multiple or separate intermediate compartments, configured to receive respective ones of the intermediate line segments 44, 45 within the intermediate rope section 23. Alternatively however, and as already mentioned in the introduction of the present document, it is of course possible that the intermediate jacket 53 is designed to define such separate intermediate compartments, for example in that the intermediate jacket is an intermediate cloth and the separate intermediate compartments are intermediate pockets formed by stitching that attaches portions of the intermediate cloth together.

As already mentioned, in the presently discussed first edition rope 1 according to the invention the first line-eye 31 is a constituent part of the first rope-eye 21 or the rope 1, and the second lineeye 32 is a constituent part of the second rope-eye 22 of the rope 1. From all Figs. 1 through 5C, and especially by mutually comparing Figs. 5A and 5C, it follows that the first rope eye 21 and the second rope eye 22 have high mutual resemblance (in fact symmetry) as to the compositions of their first and second line segments, respectively. That is, the first rope eye 21 has one first line eye 31 and four first U-turn like line segments 41, while the second rope eye 22 has one second line eye 32 and four second U-turn like line segments 42, which is very alike. Said high mutual resemblance or symmetry of the first rope eye 21 and the second rope eye 22 may under certain child of circumstances be favored in respect of effectivity and / or reliability and / or efficiency and / or lifetime of the rope.

Reference is now made to Figs. 6, 7, 8A, 8B, 8C, which illustrate the second embodiment rope 101 according to the invention.

FIGs. 6, 7, 8A, 8B, 8C are highly similar and analogous to Figs. 1

4, 5A, 5B, 5C respectively. It is noted that, where in Figs. 6, 7, 8A, 8B, 8C the same reference numerals are used as in Figs. 1, 4, 5A, 5B,

5C, but with the integer value of such a reference numeral being increased by 100, these corresponding reference numbers relate to similar mutually corresponding parts of the first and second embodiment ropes 1 and 101.

Basically, there is only one relevant difference between the first edition rope 1 and the second edition rope 101. This difference is that, in the first edition rope 1 the second line-eye is a constituent part of the SECOND rope-eye of the rope , while in the second edition rope 101 the second line-eye is a constituent part of the FIRST rope-eye or the rope. In other words, where in the first edition rope the first and second line eyes are constituent parts of the first and second line eyes, respectively, the first and second line eyes in the second edition rope are BOTH constituent parts of the first rope eye. This is best seen by mutually comparing Figs. 1 and 6. In FIG. 1 the first line eye 31 is on the left side of Fig. 1, while the second line-eye 32 is on the right side or Fig. 1. In FIG. 6, however, the first and second line-eye 131 and 132 are BOTH on the left side of Figs. 6.

It is further seen that the number of coil windings or the line 130 or FIG. 6 is four, where the number of coil windings or the line 30 or FIG. 1 is four and a half. A consequence is that Fig. 8B shows high symmetry of the arrangement of the intermediate line segments 144 and 145 in the intermediate rope section 123 or the second embodiment rope 101, while Fig. 5B does not show this child or high symmetry of the arrangement of the intermediate line segments 44 and 45 in the intermediate rope section 23 of the first edition rope 1.

As mentioned, said high symmetry of the arrangement of the intermediate line segments 144 and 145 in the intermediate rope section 123 or the second edition rope 101 may under certain child of circumstances be favored in respect of effectivity and / or reliability and / or efficiency and / or lifetime of the rope.

Reference is now made to Figs. 9A, 9B, 10A, 10B. These figures serve to illustrate that according to the invention there are various possible alternatives to the arrangements of the first, second and intermediate line engagers, as well as to arrangements of the first, second and intermediate line segments of a rope according to the invention . It is noted that where in Figs. 9A, 9B, 10A, 10B the same reference numerals are used as in Figs. 5A, 8C, but with the integer value of such a reference numeral being increased by 200, these corresponding reference numerals relate to similar mutually corresponding parts.

FIG. 9A shows an alternative to the arrangement or Fig. 5A, which shows the arrangement of the first line engager 51 and of the first line segments 31, 41 at the first rope eye 21 or the abovementioned first edition rope 1. Fig. 5A shows one layer or five first line segments. As an alternative embodiment to such a one-layer arrangement, Fig. 9A shows that two layers or first line segments may be applied as well. In FIG. 9A the alternative first line engager 251 comprises the two individual first line engager parts 251A and 251B. First line engager part 251A is forming a first layer or two first line segments 231 and 241. First line engager part 251B is forming a second layer or three first line segments 241.

It is noted that instead of the two individual first line engager parts 251A and 25IB shown in FIG. 9A it is also possible to mutually interconnect or mutually integrate these two individual first line engager parts 251A and 25IB, while preserving the shown two-layer arrangement or first line segments or FIG. 9A.

FIG. 9B shows that the alternative first line engager 251 may optionally include a further first line engager part 251C positioned inbetween the first and second layers of first line segments, in order to allow a better distribution of pressures between said two layers of first line segments.

Furthermore, it is noted that instead of the two-layer arrangement shown in Figs. 9A, 9B it is according to the invention also possible to apply arrangements or three or more layers or line segments including all optional further alternatives as discussed above in relation to the two-layer arrangement or Figs. 9A, 9B.

FIGs. 10A, 10B serve to illustrate alternatives to the arrangement or FIG. 8C, which shows the arrangement of the second line engager 152 and of the second line segments 142 at the second rope eye 122 or the abovementioned second edition rope 101. The alternatives of Figs. 10A, 10B are very similar to those of Figs. 9A, 9B, be it that Figs. 10A, 10B show an even number of line segments, where Figs. 9A, 9B show an odd number of line segments. The reference numerals 352A, 352B, 352C in Figs. 10A, 10B indicate second line engager parts of the second line engager 352 similar to the first line engager parts 251A, 251B, 251C, respectively, or the first line engager 251 or Figs. 9A, 9B. In view of said high similarity between Figs. 9A, 9B and Figs. 10A, 10B it is clear that according to the invention all optional further alternatives as discussed above in relation to Figs. 9A, 9B are also applicable to the examples of Figs. 10A, 10B.

It is further noted that according to the invention all optional further alternatives as discussed above in relation to Figs. 9A, 9B, 10A, 10B for the arrangements of the first and second line engagers and of the first and second line segments of a rope according to the invention, are also applicable for the arrangements of the intermediate line engagers and of the intermediate line segments or a rope according to the invention.

It is remarked that the abovementioned examples do not limit the invention, and that various alternatives are possible within the scope of the appended claims.

For example, a single rope according to the invention may include more than one of the lines as disclosed.

The line may be an example of various synthetic fibers, various natural fibers, or various combinations of various synthetic fibers and various natural fibers.

In fact, many various kinds, shapes, configurations, structures, and (synthetic or natural) materials of the various components of the rope according to the invention are possible, such as for the line, the number of windings of the line, the line -eyes, splices of the line-eyes, the first, second and intermediate line engagers, their first, second and intermediate compartments, etc., etc., depending on considerations such as characteristics of the rope, the nature of the operating environment, cost, and the like.

For example, the number of windings of the line could be between one and a half and eighteen, one and a half agreed to three intermediate line segments of the line, and eighteen corresponding to thirtysix intermediate line segments of the line. But more than just windings or the line may be applied as well.

Furthermore, so-called heavy-duty jackets may be applied as the first jacket and / or second jacket and / or intermediate jacket. Alternatively or additionally thereto, it is also possible to apply such heavy duty jackets around the first line engager and / or second line engager and / or intermediate line engager. Alternatively or additionally thereto, it is also possible to apply any other covering solution around the first line engager and / or second line engager and / or intermediate line engager, such as for example covering solutions similar to those known for covering eye splices.

Furthermore it is possible to additionally apply a number of seasons in the rope according to the invention, for example for forming the rope eyes.

However, other variations or modifications are also possible. These and similar alternatives are deemed to fall within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. In the claims, the word "including" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a multiple. A single unit may fulfill the functions or several items recited in the claims. For the purpose of clarity and a concise description, features are disclosed as part of the same or separate expired, however, it will be appreciated that the scope of the invention may include excluding combinations of all or some of the features disclosed. The more fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures can not be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be constructed as limiting the scope.

Claims (14)

Conclusions A rope (1; 101) with a first rope eye (21; 121) at a first rope end (11; 111) of the rope, a second rope eye (22; 122) at a second rope end (12; 112) of the rope opposite the first rope end, and an intermediate rope section (23; 123) between the first rope eye and the second rope eye, the rope having a reference use condition in which the rope is held in tension between a first external attachment object (91; 191) that is held by the first rope eye and a second external attachment object (92; 192) running through the second rope eye, characterized in that the rope, as seen in said reference operating condition, comprises: • a line (30; 130) with a first line eye (31; 131) at a first line end (61; 161) of the line, and a second line eye (32; 132) at a second line end (62; 162) of the line opposite the first line end, where: - the line extends in its longitudinal direction along a spiral path to form one and a half or more turns of the line, - said one and a half or more turns of the line, at least one first U-curve-like line segment (41; 141) of the line, at least one second U-curve-like line segment (42; 142) of the line, and a plurality of mutually parallel and adjacent intermediate line segments ( 44, 45; 144, 145) of the line, - said at least one first U-curved line segment extends at the first rope eye of the rope and is a constituent part of the first rope eye of the rope, said at least one second U-curved line segment extends at the second rope eye of the rope and a constituent part is from the second rope eye of the rope, and said intermediate line segments extend between the first rope eye and the second rope eye and are constituent parts of the intermediate rope section of the rope, - the first line eye extends to the first rope eye and is a constituent part of the first rope eye, and - either the second line eye (132) extends to the first rope eye (121) while it is a constituent part of the first rope eye (121), or the second line eye (32) extends to the second rope eye (22) while it is a constituting part of the second rope eye (22); • a first line gripper (51; 151) configured to engage the line such that all first line segments (31, 41; 131, 132, 141) of the line in the first rope eye, i.e. - each of the at least one first U-curved line segment (41; 141), - the first line eye (31; 131), and - in case the second line eye is a constituent part of the first rope eye, the second line eye (132), are kept in a substantially parallel and mutually adjacent relationship; and • a second line gripper (52; 152) configured to engage the line such that all second line segments (32, 42; 142) of the line in the second rope eye, i.e. - each of the at least one second U-curved line segment (42; 142), and - in case the second line eye is a constituent part of the second rope eye, the second line eye (32), are kept in a substantially parallel and mutually adjacent relationship. The rope of claim 1, wherein the second line eye (132) is a constituent part of the first rope eye (121). The rope of claim 1, wherein the second line eye (32) is a constituent part of the second rope eye (22). A rope according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first line gripper (51; 151) has a first sheath (51; 151) around said first line segments (31, 41; 131, 132, 141) in the first rope eye (21; 121) includes. The rope of claim 4, wherein the first sheath (51; 151) defines a plurality of separate first compartments that are configured to have respective copies of said first line segments (31, 41; 131, 132, 141) in the first rope eye (21; 121) ). The rope of claim 5, wherein the first sheath (51; 151) is a first cloth (51; 151) and the separate first compartments are first pockets formed by stitching (70; 170) that portions of the first cloth ( 51; 151). The rope of any preceding claim, wherein the second line gripper (52; 152) comprises a second sheath (52; 152) around said second line segments (32, 42; 142) in the second rope eye (22; 122). The rope of claim 7, wherein the second sheath (52; 152) defines a plurality of separate second compartments configured to receive respective ones of said second line segments (32, 42; 142) in the second rope eye (22; 122) . The rope of claim 8, wherein the second sheath (52; 152) is a second cloth (52; 152) and the separate second compartments are second pockets formed by stitching (70; 170) that portions of the second cloth to confirm each other. The rope according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rope (1; 101), as seen in said reference use condition, further comprises: • an intermediate line gripper (53; 153) configured to engage the line (30; 130) such that said intermediate line segments (44, 45; 144, 145) are all held in a substantially parallel and mutually adjacent relationship in the intermediate rope section (23; 123). The rope of claim 10, wherein the intermediate line gripper comprises an intermediate sheath (53; 153) around said intermediate line segments (44, 45; 144, 145) in the intermediate rope section (23; 123). The rope of claim 11, wherein the intermediate sheath defines a plurality of separate intermediate compartments configured to receive respective ones of said intermediate line segments in the intermediate rope section. The rope of claim 12, wherein the intermediate sheath is an intermediate cloth and the separate intermediate compartments are intermediate pockets formed by stitching that secures portions of the intermediate cloth together. A rope according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first line eye (31; 131) at the first line end (61; 161) of the line (30; 130) is obtained by forming a first split (81; 181) between two different first portions of the line and / or wherein the second line eye (32; 132) at the second line end (62; 162) of the line (30; 130) is obtained by forming a second split (82; 182) between two different second parts of the line. ¢ 4 m / m π-Η fe ί ι f i ’I; 3 f-f f -Fr s (it U; i 4- u 14-h; Γ J u i ** eew. Title: Rope.