DE29816936U1 - Impregnated rope - Google Patents

Description

Applicant:

company

Rosenberger Tauwerk GmbH Poststrasse 11

95192 Lichtenberg/Ofr.

Representative:

Patent attorneys
Dipl.-Ing. H.-D. Ernicke Dipl.-Ing. Klaus Ernicke Schwibbogenplatz 2b D-86153 Augsburg

Date:

File:

21.09.1998
646-22 he/ha

DESCRIPTION Impregnated rope

The invention relates to a rope having the features in the preamble of the main claim.

In the area of water sports, climbing and other areas, there is a need for ropes that are dirt and oil repellent and that absorb as little water as possible. To meet this requirement, it is known to produce ropes from synthetic fibers that absorb little water, e.g. polyamide. In addition, it is known to equip the ropes with an impregnation made of silicone or hydrocarbon compounds. However, these ropes are not yet able to satisfactorily meet all requirements.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a rope with better properties.

The invention solves this problem with the features in the main claim.

The impregnation according to the invention from fluorocarbon compounds has the advantage that it combines particularly good water, oil and dirt-repellent properties with particularly high abrasion resistance. In contrast to the previously known ropes, the rope impregnated according to the invention is therefore better able to withstand the mechanical stresses that occur during use. In particular, the impregnation and its properties are retained for longer than with the prior art.

Fluorocarbon resins and especially fluorocarbon polymers are preferably used among the fluorocarbon compounds. The impregnation can also contain other additives in addition to the compounds mentioned.

Depending on the application, the finished rope can be impregnated as such, with the impregnation mainly being on the outside and in the sheath area. This is

5 is sufficient for most applications and is cost-effective. Alternatively, it is also possible to impregnate the individual strands before the rope is manufactured. This provides an enhanced impregnation effect for special applications.

The invention is illustrated by way of example and schematically in the drawings. In detail,

Figure 1: a cross section through a rope with a

outside impregnated coat and

Figure 2: a variant of Figure 1 with a rope

made of individually impregnated strands. 10

Figures 1 and 2 show, as an example, a cross-section through a rope (1) that consists of a monofilament or multifilament core (5) or a so-called core and an outer sheath (3). One or more intermediate layers (4) can be present between these two layers. The sheath (3) and the intermediate layer (4) consist of several strands (6). The core (5) can also have several strands. The rope (1) can be manufactured in any way, e.g. as a braided or twisted rope. This rope structure can be the same or different for both embodiments. A core-sheath construction is not absolutely necessary. The rope (1) can also be braided or twisted as a whole.

The rope (1) has an impregnation (2) which contains one or more fluorocarbon compounds and possibly other additives. The impregnation (2) preferably contains fluorocarbon resins and in particular fluorocarbon polymers.

Fluorocarbon compounds are known as impregnation for carpet fibers or for textile clothing. They are sold, for example, by the company 3M under the name "Scotchgard."

The fluorocarbon resins used for impregnation are organic compounds in which the hydrogen atoms bonded to carbon have been completely or partially replaced by fluorine. To increase environmental compatibility, the solvent content of these products is removed during production.

The rope (1) consists of synthetic, natural or mixed fibres or yarns, e.g. made of polyester,

&iacgr;&ogr; polyamide, polyethylene, hemp, sisal or any other suitable raw material. The fibers have different surface energies. The treatment with fluorocarbon resins reduces the critical surface energy of the fibers. They receive their dirt, water and oil-repellent properties because the fluorocarbon resins reduce the surface energy of the refined fibers to such an extent that they are below the surface tension of water and oil. Without completely coating the fiber surface, the penetration of liquids is prevented. The fluorocarbon resins form a protective shield around the fibers and at least partially penetrate the surface. Even dry dirt has difficulty adhering to the smoother surface of the fibers. The water vapor and air permeability is retained during the treatment. The impregnation (2) is resistant to washing, mechanical abrasion and other environmental influences. The good appearance and handle of the rope (1) are also not impaired in any way.

The impregnation (2) according to the invention is oil, water and dirt repellent and increases abrasion resistance. The respective expression of the individual characteristics can be influenced by varying the chemical composition of the impregnation (2). If, for example, one of the effects, e.g. water repellency, is increased, the other two properties are simultaneously suppressed.

without completely losing their effectiveness.

As Figures 1 and 2 show, the impregnation (2) can be applied in different ways. In the variant of Figure 1, the impregnation (2) is on the outside of the sheath (3) of the rope (1) and only partially penetrates into the interior. This impregnation is produced, for example, by a padding process in which the finished rope (1) is guided through an immersion bath with a deflection roller. It goes through a wetting phase and a subsequent first and second immersion phase with an intermediate phase of the deflection roller. After leaving the immersion bath, the rope is squeezed between rollers in a suitable manner. After finishing, a drying and condensation process takes place to fix the impregnation (2).

In the variant of Figure 2, one or more strands (6) can be individually impregnated in the above-mentioned manner by padding before the rope is manufactured. There are various options for this. Firstly, only the strands (6) of the sheath (3) can be impregnated. In addition, however, the strands (6) of the intermediate layer (4) and/or the core (5) can also be impregnated. Figure 2 shows this by means of an impregnation sleeve on individual strands (6).

Variants of the described embodiments are possible in different ways. On the one hand, the internal structure of the rope (1) can vary in any way, whereby the impregnation (2) changes accordingly. An intermediate layer (4) can be dispensed with, for example. Furthermore, the rope (1) can be made from any fibers. These can be synthetic fibers as well as natural fibers. Different materials or material mixtures can also be present for the individual strands (6). In addition to the aqueous emulsion of a fluorocarbon polymer, the impregnation bath can contain other components, such as wetting agents,

Contain catalysts, extenders, acetic acid, fungicides, water or the like. Corresponding components can also be found as residues in the impregnation (2).

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

1 rope

5 2 Impregnation

3 Coat, outer layer

4 Intermediate layer

5 Core, Soul

6 strands

Claims (5)

- 8 PROTECTION CLAIMS 1.) Rope consisting of one or more strands with an impregnation, thereby characterized in that the impregnation (2) comprises fluorocarbon compounds. 2.) Rope according to claim 1, characterized characterized in that the impregnation (2) contains fluorocarbon resins. 3.) Rope according to claim 1 or 2, characterized characterized in that the impregnation (2) comprises fluorocarbon polymers. 15 4.) Rope according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the sheath (3) of the rope (1) is impregnated on the outside. 5.) Rope according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that one or more strands (6) of the rope (1) are individually impregnated.