Patent Application
20130145740
The present invention relates to a method of forming an eye end termination on a rope having a core comprising a plurality of multi-strand subropes. The present invention also relates to a rope having a core comprising a plurality of multi-strand subropes and at least one eye end termination. In particular, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a method of forming an eye end termination on such a rope involving coupling at least one pair of sub ropes in the rope core together.
In the oil and gas exploration and production industry, the search for oil and gas offshore is moving into deeper and deeper waters and will continue to do so. Traditionally, in shallower waters, drilling and production vessels have been moored to the seabed using chain and wire. However, in deeper waters there is a drive to moor these vessels with synthetic fibre ropes, as they can offer many advantages such as reduced platform offset, reduced peak loads and increased payload capacity.
Due to limitations in manufacturing and handling of synthetic fibre ropes, individual mooring lines for a vessel are normally split into a number of rope sections. The conventional method to connect the rope sections together is to mount a steel spool inside an eye end termination on each rope section. The steel spools are then attached to each end of a small length of chain using shackles, so that the rope sections can be coupled together. Alternatively an “H-link” connector may be utilised.
However, as the requirement for break load is increasing, the size and weight of connecting components is also increasing. This not only makes the rope sections difficult to handle and connect, it can also have an affect on the dynamics of a mooring system comprising such mooring lines. In particular, studies have shown that the weight of the connecting components (spools plus shackles and chains, H-link connectors) between fibre rope sections in a mooring line can affect the performance of the mooring system. This is because the weight of these components creates a catenary in the line, giving a lower initial stiffness. As the load in the line increases, the line becomes taut and the stiffness increases. This lower initial stiffness is undesirable, as it allows a greater offset of the vessel. In other words, the vessel can move a significant distance before the line becomes taut and further movement is effectively resisted.
One known type of fibre rope is a polyester rope that is produced with a central core surrounded by a layer of filter fabric encased in a braided jacket. The core is the load-bearing part of the rope, and is constructed from a number of multi-strand (typically three-strand) polyester subropes laid parallel to each other. The subropes are each typically constructed from a number of yarns, which are long lengths of continuous interlocked fibres. The subropes are usually arranged in outwardly radiating rope arrays or layers. There is no set arrangement for the subropes in the core, as it is very difficult to maintain the subropes in an exact position during manufacture. Typically the aim is to have a pattern of subropes which is ideally increased by six for each concentric array of subropes, although the total number of subropes in the core is selected so as to be divisible by four (for reasons that will be discussed below) and so the number of subropes in the outer array adjusted accordingly. For example, the rope may have a first array of three subropes, a second array of nine subropes around the first array and a third array of twelve subropes around the second array (thus a 3-9-12 pattern giving a total of 24 subropes). The number of subropes in the core also depends upon other factors including the desired length of the rope. Other arrangements are possible depending on the particular rope structure required.
Typically, the number of subropes ranges between twelve and eighty, depending on factors including the minimum breaking load (the ‘MBL’ or failing load) and length of the segments. Half of the subropes are ‘S’ lay (wound clockwise) and half are ‘Z’ lay (wound anti/counter-clockwise), resulting in a torque neutral rope. A torque neutral rope is one in which no twist or torque is generated from the rope when loaded. The core of subropes is wrapped in the layer of filter fabric, which is used to restrict ingress of particles into the core that might otherwise abrade and damage the rope during use. The outer braided jacket holds the structure of the rope together, and protects the subropes and filter from abrasion damage. A drawing of the end of one such known rope 1, having a core 2 comprising subropes 3, is shown in the perspective view of Fig. A. Parts of a filter layer 4 and braided jacket 5 of the rope 1 have been removed, and some of the subropes 3 shown longer than others, for illustration purposes. Other ropes may be of a similar construction but with different arrangements of subropes. For example, in certain circumstances, it may not be desired or required to have a torque neutral rope, and so the subropes may not be arranged so that half are S lay and half Z lay.
The current method of forming an eye end termination in ropes of this kind involves an eye-splicing procedure. The splice is built up using a number of layers, and the method is shown in the schematic plan views of Figs. B and C. An eye end termination 6 (Fig. B) is formed around a bollard 7 and starts with subropes 8 and 9. These are laid either side of the bollard 7, and marked with points ‘a’ and ‘b’. The subropes 8 and 9 are then passed around the bollard 7, and the ‘a’ and ‘b’ marks are lined up on each side. Subrope 8 is then spliced into subrope 9, and visa versa, using an eye splice in which individual strands of the subropes are tucked or plaited together. This completes one pair of subropes 8 and 9. The distance between the ‘a’ and ‘b’ marks is determined according to the diameter of the bollard, the diameter of the subropes, the extension of the subrope under load and the bedding down of the subropes around the eye when the rope is loaded. The aim is to have all the subropes at the same length at break load for maximum strength.
The process is then repeated depending on how many subropes are required in a first layer of the eye end termination 6. The process is then repeated for subropes in a second layer of the eye end termination 6, as shown in Fig. C with subropes 8′ and 9′. In this case however, the ‘b’ marks are changed to ‘c’ marks. This is because the rope portions between the ‘a’ and ‘c’ marks are slightly longer than between the ‘a’ and t′marks, to account for the extra distance around a perimeter of the eye 6 that the subropes 8′ and 9′ must pass (due to the increased dimension of the eye which results from forming of the first layer of subropes). The splice is thus built up in layers, governed by factors including the desired number of subropes in each layer and the particular design of the rope 1. Typically there are four subropes in each layer, hence the total number of subropes in the core 2 will be divisible by four.
Once all of the subropes in the core 2 have been spliced, a braided cover (not shown) is fitted over the spliced regions and around the eye 6. This is secured in position by tucking yarns of the braided cover into the cover plaits of the standing rope. Typically, the cover yarns are locked in place by completing four tucks of the ropes in the eye end termination into the cover plaits. Using a special tool known as a ‘fid’, the eye end termination yarns are pushed under one plait of the cover and then over another plait, and this process is repeated four times to provide the required engagement. To finish, the eye 6 and spliced regions are coated with a two part polyurethane coating to provide abrasion resistance during handling, as shown in Fig. D.
Whilst this known technique provides a good eye end termination capable of supporting the loads experienced by the rope during use, the splicing process results in the eye end termination being relatively bulky. This is because the process of passing each rope in a pair of subropes that are to be spliced together around the bollard results in there being 200% of the rope core material in the eye end termination and in the spliced region (each leg of the eye end termination comprising the same number of ropes as in the rope core, and thus effectively each comprising 100% of the rope core material). Consequently, the eye end termination is larger than might otherwise be the case for a rope of particular dimensions and with a certain number of core subropes. As a result of this, the spool which is fitted into the eye is larger than might otherwise be necessary, adding to the weight of connecting components in a mooring line constructed from such rope sections, and thus enhancing catenary effects. Similar problems are experienced when utilising H-link connectors.
It is amongst the objects of the present invention to obviate or mitigate at least one of the foregoing disadvantages.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of forming an eye end termination on a rope having a core comprising a plurality of multi-strand subropes, the method comprising the step of:
The invention may provide a method of forming an eye end termination in which the requirement to have two subropes passing around a perimeter of the eye end termination and directly spliced together can be negated. This may facilitate a reduction in the size of the eye end termination compared to prior rope eye end terminations, with the result that a spool fitted in the eye end termination can be of a reduced size and weight in comparison to prior spools for ropes of similar dimensions, materials and/or load bearing characteristics. This can lead to a reduction in catenary effects in the rope, and thus in a mooring line comprising a plurality of sections of such rope coupled together end-to-end. Reductions in the spool weight of up to 50% may be achievable. A further benefit is that the spool and associated connecting equipment is significantly lighter than with prior ropes and so easier to handle, which increases safety offshore during installation.
The method may be a method of forming an eye end termination on a rope, in which the number of coupling ropes extending around a perimeter of and forming at least part of the eye end termination is less than the number of subropes in the rope core, and which may be half the number of subropes in the core.
The plurality of multi-strand subropes may each be of a first strength, and the step of coupling the pair of subropes together may comprise coupling the pair of subropes together using a coupling rope which is of a second strength which is greater than said first strength. The method may therefore involve the coupling together of the subropes in the pair using a coupling rope which is of a greater strength than that of the subropes. In this way, the coupling rope forming at least part of the eye end termination is capable of supporting higher loading than the core subropes, and so any reduction in strength of the eye end termination which might otherwise result from the reduction in the number of ropes in/forming the eye end termination can be negated. Indeed, depending upon the relative first and second strengths of the subropes and the coupling rope, the eye end termination may be capable of supporting the same (or indeed greater) loading than a conventional eye end termination formed on the same rope following the prior technique described above. There may be a plurality of coupling ropes, each of said second strength.
The first portion of the coupling rope may be spaced along a length of the coupling rope from the second portion. The first portion of the coupling rope may be or may comprise a first end of the coupling rope. The second portion of the coupling rope may be or may comprise a second end of the coupling rope.
The coupling of the pair of subropes together using the coupling rope may involve forming a loop comprising the coupling rope and parts of the first and second subropes in the subrope pair to which the coupling rope is spliced, which loop may form at least part of the eye end termination.
The method may comprise the steps of:
The step of coupling the first pair of subropes together may comprise splicing a first portion of the first coupling rope to one of the subropes in the first pair of subropes, and splicing a second portion of the first coupling rope to the other one of the subropes in the first pair of subropes. The step of coupling the at least one further pair of subropes together may comprise splicing a first portion of the at least one further coupling rope to one of the subropes in the at least one further pair of subropes, and splicing a second portion of the at least one further coupling rope to the other one of the subropes in the at least one further pair of subropes.
The rope core may comprise a plurality of concentric arrays or layers of subropes. The rope core may comprise a first array of subropes, and at least one further array of subropes, the or each said further array of subropes located radially outwardly of the or each preceding array. For example, the rope core may comprise a first array of subropes, a second array of subropes located around the first array of subropes, and a third array of subropes located around the second array of subropes.
The method may comprise the steps of:
The step of coupling the pair of subropes in the first rope core array together may comprise splicing a first portion of the first coupling rope to one of the subropes in said pair of subropes, and splicing a second portion of the first coupling rope to the other one of the subropes in said pair of subropes. The step of coupling the pair of subropes in the at least one further array together may comprise splicing a first portion of the at least one further coupling rope to one of the subropes in said pair of subropes, and splicing a second portion of the at least one further coupling rope to the other one of the subropes in said pair of subropes.
One or more of the arrays of subropes in the rope core may comprise a plurality of pairs of subropes, and the method may comprise the steps of:
The step of coupling the first pair of subropes in said array together may comprise splicing a first portion of the first coupling rope to one of the subropes in the first pair of subropes, and splicing a second portion of the first coupling rope to the other one of the subropes in the first pair of subropes. The step of coupling the at least one further pair of subropes in said array together may comprise splicing a first portion of the at least one further coupling rope to one of the subropes in the at least one further pair of subropes, and splicing a second portion of the at least one further coupling rope to the other one of the subropes in the at least one further pair of subropes.
The method may comprise coupling a subrope in one array of the rope core to a subrope in another array of the rope core using a coupling rope.
The method may comprise coupling each subrope in the rope core to another subrope in the core using a coupling rope.
The method may comprise coupling a plurality of pairs of subropes of the rope core together using respective coupling ropes, and arranging the coupling ropes to form overlapping rope layers of the eye end termination. The method may comprise coupling at least two pairs of subropes in the rope core together using respective coupling ropes and arranging said coupling ropes in a first layer; and coupling at least two further pairs of subropes in the rope core together using respective further coupling ropes and arranging said coupling ropes in a second layer located around the first layer. The method may comprise coupling at least two still further pairs of subropes in the rope core together using respective still further coupling ropes and arranging said coupling ropes in a third layer located around the second layer. Further layers may be created if required.
The method may comprise forming each layer from four coupling ropes (or multiples thereof) and thus may comprise coupling four pairs of subropes in the rope core together. This may facilitate the balancing of forces in the eye end termination. For example, the rope may be torque balanced and the rope core may comprise a number of S lay subropes and a corresponding number of Z lay subropes. The method may comprise coupling pairs of S lay subropes together using S lay coupling ropes, and coupling pairs of Z lay subropes together using Z lay coupling ropes. The provision of four coupling ropes in each layer may facilitate balancing of forces in the eye end termination in that an even number of S lay coupling ropes can be provided in each layer, and a corresponding even number of Z lay coupling ropes. Each layer may comprise an even number of coupling ropes, may comprise more than four coupling ropes and, in such circumstances, may comprise coupling ropes arranged in multiples of four.
The method may be a method of forming an eye end termination having at least two separate loops or eyes. This may provide the advantage that two ropes or rope sections may be coupled together using a single connecting component or connecting assembly, which may be a single spool. In particular, a rope with an eye end termination having two loops can be coupled to a spool straddling the loop or loops of an eye end termination of a further rope. In this way, forces on the spool during use can be balanced in a way which would not be possible with conventional eye end terminations. For example, two ropes with conventional eye end terminations could not be coupled together side by side on a spool, as there would be an imbalance in the forces acting on the spool tending to cause a twisting of the spool, and separation of the eye end terminations from the spool. The invention may therefore negate the requirement to provide a spool on each rope and a connecting chain coupling the spools together, or a relatively large and heavy H-link connector. Accordingly, the weight of a connecting component or assembly used to couple two such ropes together can be reduced, with resultant benefits including a reduced catenary in the rope.
The method may comprise the steps of:
The method may comprise the steps of:
Typically the eye end termination comprises two loops, although it may comprise more than two loops if desired. Limiting factors on the number of loops may be relative dimensions of the rope or eye end termination and/or the balancing of forces on a connecting component (such as a spool) used to couple the rope to another rope. Typically the eye end termination comprises an even number of loops. This may facilitate the balancing of forces on a connecting component used to couple two ropes together. However, the eye end termination may comprise an odd number of loops.
Each loop of the eye end termination may be formed by coupling at least one pair of subropes in the rope core together using a respective multi-strand coupling rope. Each loop may be formed by coupling a plurality of pairs of subropes in the rope core together using respective multi-strand coupling ropes. The ropes in each loop may be grouped together to form the loop, and may be secured together. The ropes may be secured together using at least one cover or the like fitted around the ropes in the group. A separate cover may be provided for each group of ropes. The method may comprise providing each loop of the eye end termination with a respective cover.
Each loop of the eye end termination may be formed according to the method(s) set out above. Thus further features in the step or steps of forming each loop may be derived from the text set out above.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rope comprising a core having a plurality of multi-strand subropes and at least one eye end termination;
The subropes may each be of a first strength and the coupling rope of a second strength which is greater than said first strength.
The subropes may be of a polymeric material or materials. The subropes may be of a polyester material, a polyamide or nylon material which may be a common nylon material, or a combination thereof. The subrope strands may each comprise at least one yarn, each yarn being made up from a plurality of fibres; thus the subrope strands may themselves be multi-stranded. A strength of the material used to form the subropes may be less than a strength of a material used to form the coupling ropes.
The coupling ropes may be of a polymeric material. The coupling rope strands may each comprise at least one yarn, each yarn being made up from a plurality of fibres; thus the coupling rope strands may themselves be multi-stranded. The coupling ropes may be manufactured using a high performance yarn. The coupling ropes may have a second strength which is at least 1.5 times greater, may be at least 2.0 times greater, and may be at least 2.5 times greater than the first strength of the subropes. The coupling ropes may be of a second strength which is no more than 3.5 times greater, and which may be no more than 3.0 times greater than the first strength of the subropes. The coupling ropes may be of or may comprise an aromatic polyamide (Aramid) material, such as those commercially available under the Trade Marks KEVLAR, TWARON and TECHNORA. The coupling ropes may be of or may comprise a liquid crystal polymer material, such as those commercially available under the Trade Mark VECTRAN. The coupling ropes may be or may comprise a plurality of materials selected from the above group. For example, one or more strand of the coupling rope may be may of a material which is different to one or more other strand of the coupling rope. A strength of the material or materials used to form the coupling rope may be greater than the strength of the material forming the subropes.
Reference is made herein to a strength of the subropes and of the coupling rope. Such references may be to the ability of the subropes and the coupling ropes, and/or of the respective materials forming the subropes and the coupling ropes, to withstand an applied stress without failure. The strength may be a yield strength and/or an ultimate strength of the ropes. The strength may be the tenacity of fibres or yarn materials used to form the subropes and the coupling rope, which may be defined as the ultimate (breaking) strength of the fibre or fibres forming the respective rope divided by the linear mass density of said fibre or fibres. The tenacity of the material forming the coupling rope may be at least about 1900 mN/tex, at least about 2000 mN/tex, at least about 2100 mN/tex, at least about 2200 mN/tex, at least about 2300 mN/tex, or at least about 2400 mN/tex. The tenacity of the material forming the coupling rope may be no more than about 2500 mN/tex, no more than about 2600 mN/tex, or no more than about 2700 mN/tex. The tenacity of the material forming each of the subropes may be no more than about 800 mN/tex and may be no more than about 900 mN/tex.
The subropes may each have an MBL of at least about 300 kN, and the or each coupling rope may have an MBL of at least about 600 kN.
The eye end termination may comprise a first loop formed by coupling at least one pair of subropes in the rope core together using a multi-strand coupling rope; a second loop formed by coupling at least one further pair of subropes in the rope core together using a multi-strand coupling rope, the second loop being separate from the first loop; and at least one further loop formed by coupling at least one still further pair of subropes in the rope core together using a multi-strand coupling rope, the further loop being separate from the first and second loops.
The eye end termination may comprise at least two separate loops or eyes. Typically the eye end termination comprises two loops, although it may comprise more than two loops if desired. Typically the eye end termination comprises an even number of loops. However, the eye end termination may comprise an odd number of loops.
Each loop of the eye end termination may comprise a plurality of pairs of subropes of the rope core coupled together using respective multi-strand coupling ropes.
The ropes in each loop may be grouped together to form the loop, and may be secured together. The ropes may be secured together using at least one cover or the like fitted around the ropes in the group. A separate cover may be provided for each group of ropes. The method may comprise providing each loop of the eye end termination with a respective cover.
Further features of the rope of the second aspect of the present invention may be derived from or in relation to the method of the first aspect of the invention and/or are defined in the appended claims. Where the eye end termination of the rope comprises a plurality of loops, each loop may be formed according to the method(s) set out above. Thus further features of each loop may be derived from the text set out above in or with respect to the first aspect of the invention.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an eye end termination for a rope comprising a core having a plurality of multi-strand subropes, the eye end termination comprising at least one multi-strand coupling rope having a first portion spliced to one of a pair of subropes in the rope core and a second portion spliced to the other one of the subropes in the pair of subropes.
Further features of the eye end termination of the third aspect of the present invention may be derived from or in relation to the method of the first aspect of the invention or the rope of the second aspect of the invention.
An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Turning firstly to
The method of forming the eye end termination 16, and the rope 10 and eye end termination itself, will now be described with reference also to
The subropes 14 in the core 12 are first separated out from the filter layer 13 and outer jacket 15 and labelled with their intended position in the finished eye end termination 16. The pair 22 of subropes 14a, 14b are separated out from the other subropes in preparation for coupling together using the coupling rope 18a. This is achieved by splicing a first portion 26a of the coupling rope 18a to the subrope 14a, and a second portion 28a of the coupling rope 18a to the subrope 14b. The subropes 14a, 14b are shown prior to splicing in the left hand side of
The subropes 14a, 14b and indeed the remaining subropes in the core 12 have a first strength, and the coupling rope 18a and indeed further coupling ropes of the eye end termination 16 have a second strength. The second strength is greater than the first strength, which accounts for the high forces which the eye end termination 16 will experience in use. A typical polyester subrope 14 may have an MBL of 300 kN and a typical coupling rope 18 of a high performance yarn may have an MBL of 600 kN.
The subropes 14 and coupling ropes 18 do not have to be of the same structure, but are of the same diameter to facilitate the splicing procedure. The subropes are of a polymeric material, typically a polyester such as 132000 dtex polyester yarn, or a polyamide which can be a common nylon. The coupling ropes 18 are manufactured using a high performance yarn. Suitable materials include aromatic polyamide (Aramid) materials, such as those commercially available under the Trade Marks KEVLAR, TWARON and TECHNORA and liquid crystal polymer materials, such as those commercially available under the Trade Mark VECTRAN. Typically the coupling ropes 18 have a second strength which is in the range of 1.5 to 3.0 times greater than the first strength of the subropes 14. The yarns forming the coupling ropes 18 may be of a material having a tenacity or ultimate (breaking) strength in the range of about 1900 mN/tex to about 2700 mN/tex. Yarns forming the subropes 14 in contrast may be of a material having a tenacity or ultimate (breaking) strength in the range of about 800 mN/tex to about 900 mN/tex; for example, a typical polyester material has a tenacity of around 870 mN/tex. Suitable materials for the yarns used to form the coupling and subropes 18 and 14 and having such tenacities include those listed above.
The method of forming the eye end termination 16 contrasts with prior methods in that the eye end termination is smaller than prior terminations formed on ropes having cores of similar dimensions and arrangement to the rope core 12. This facilitates use of a smaller spool (not shown), which is located in an eye aperture 29 which is formed when the subropes are coupled together. In particular, with prior eye end terminations such as the termination 6 shown in Figs. B, C and D, the pair of subropes 8 and 9 are directly spliced together and pass around the perimeter of the eye end termination. This results in twice the amount of rope material existing in both the eye and the spliced regions. In contrast, in the rope 10 of the present invention, there is the same total amount of material in the eye end connection 16 (across a cross-section of the entire eye end termination) as in the rope core 12. This can clearly be seen by comparing
As shown in the cross-sectional view of
As shown in
Returning to
The steps of
Turning now to
The eye end termination 116 of the rope 100 comprises a plurality of loops and, in the illustrated embodiment, comprises two loops 50 and 52. The eye end termination 216 of the rope 200 comprises similar such loops 250 and 252. Each loop 50, 52 and 250, 252 is formed according to the method described above in relation to
Each of the loops 50 and 52 of the rope 100 are formed by coupling subropes 114 in the core 112 of the rope 100 together using multi-strand coupling ropes 188, according to the method described above. However, instead of forming an eye end termination having a single loop, the eye end termination 116 has the two separate loops 50 and 52.
Formation of the ropes 100 and 200 including two separate loops 50, 52 and 250, 252 provides a number of advantages. In particular, the two ropes 100 and 200 can be coupled together utilising a single connecting component which, in the illustrated embodiment, takes the form of a spool 58. The spool 58 is shown in more detail in the enlarged perspective and front views of
The spool 58 is shown in more detail in
The other intermediate flange 66 is similarly spaced with respect to the end flange 62 so as to define a recess 72 which, in this instance, receives the loop 252, again ideally in a snug fit. The flanges 60, 64 and 62, 66 act to prevent migration of the respective loops 250 and 252 along a length of the spool hub 68 during use.
The intermediate flanges 64 and 66 also define a central recess 74 therebetween for receiving further loops of the eye end terminations 116, 216. In the illustrated embodiment, the central recess 74 receives both loops 50 and 52 of the rope 100 eye end termination 116. Again, the flanges 64 and 66 are spaced such that the recess 74 receives the loops 50 and 52, ideally in a snug fit, and so that the flanges prevent migration of the loops along a length of the hub 68 during use.
It will be appreciated that the loops 50, 52 and 250, 252 may be differently oriented on the spool 58. For example, the loops may be spaced alternately along a length of the hub 68 so that one loop from each eye end termination 116, 216 is received in the central recess 74. Furthermore, it will be understood that the spool 68 may be arranged to have fewer or greater intermediate flanges and may indeed be provided without any intermediate flanges. Additionally, the eye end terminations 116, 216 of the ropes 100, 200 may have a different number of loops. For example, they may have an odd number of loops and may have three loops, or may have four loops. Where a rope has an eye end termination with an odd number of loops, it may be desirable that the other rope coupled to the spool have an even number of loops which can be fitted between the loops of the first rope. The spool may be constructed accordingly for providing a good fit with the loops of the ropes.
Various modifications may be made to the foregoing without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.
For example, the structure of the rope, in particular the rope core (comprising the plurality of subropes), may be constructed according to one of a number of different techniques, as will be understood by persons skilled in the art. Thus it will be understood that the principles of the present invention may apply to many different types of ropes, manufactured according to a number of different techniques. Indeed, the subropes in the rope core may comprise a plurality of strands formed from yarns (or fibres) which are twisted together; may comprise a plurality of strands formed from yarns (or fibres) which are braided together; and/or a combination of the two. Different arrays or layers of subropes in the core may be manufactured according to different techniques.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a method of forming an eye end termination on a rope, a rope and/or an eye end termination may be provided having one or more of the features of one or more of the embodiments described above and/or shown in the accompanying drawings.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1007447.4 | May 2010 | GB | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/GB2011/050875 | 5/5/2011 | WO | 00 | 2/21/2013 |
