Abstract: A filler element is located between each adjacent pair of outer strands of a wire rope and interlocks with the adjacent strands. The filler elements provide the rope with substantially smooth outer surface reducing vibration of the rope passing over a pulley. Filler elements are disclosed consisting of an elastometic or polymeric material having an oriented molecular structure aligned along the filler element and also aligned in a generally radial direction with respect to the rope.

Abstract: A method of terminating a fiber rope utilizing a device of the type which has a housing member having a frusto-conical bore in which an end portion of the rope can be wedgedly retained. The end portion of the rope has a reinforcing device incorporated therein in order to increase the tensile load capacity of the rope end portion. The reinforcing device may include a fiber type material, a length of fiber rope or a resinous compound applied to the fibers of the rope end portion.

Abstract: An extruded polymeric rod is elongated in the solid state by being drawn through a forming device to produce a solid polymeric core having an orientated structure which comprises elongated crystals orientated in the axial direction of the core. The core may also comprise crystals orientated in respective radial directions. The single rod may be replaced by a bundle of rods.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of stowing a rope or the like. The method comprises the steps of: placing a first looped portion of a rope in a longitudinally extending cavity; and placing successive adjacent looped portions of the rope in respective next adjacent longitudinally extending cavities. The method employs a device which may comprise a number of tubular members defining the rope stowing cavities arranged in juxtaposed relationship. Alternatively, the device may comprise a housing, the interior of which is subdivided to provide the rope stowing cavities. The rope end device combination of the invention is intended as an emergency tow pack for a sea-going vessel.

Abstract: A ribbed flexible member for casting into an anchorage medium includes a central strand with outer wires extending helically about the strand. Parts of the exposed surfaces of some of the outer wires are indented in a non-axial direction, those parts being distributed along the strand.

Abstract: A device and a method for terminating a rope or a bundle of ropes. The device comprises a housing member having a frusto-conical bore for accommodating hollow member which, in use, wedgedly retain rope ends or rope end portions within the housing. The hollow members are located in juxtaposed relationship within the housing, each hollow member having a conically shaped member which traps a rope end or rope end portion within its respective hollow member. The device is designed for terminating ropes of large diameter or bundles of ropes which collectively have a large diameter. The device is shaped or has means to enable it to be secured to a fixture such as a seabed anchorage. The device may, however, be provided as a means of connecting two ropes of large diameter and as such comprises two of the rope end terminating devices fixed in back to back relationship.

Abstract: A thrust plate which bears on a rock face is connected to a load-bearing termination on one end portion of an elongate member, e.g., a hollow rope, extending along a hole bored into the rock. An anchorage medium fills the hole, anchoring the elongate member in the rock, and extends between the end portion and the surrounding portion of the termination, securing these two portions together.

Abstract: A load-bearing termination (1) engages an end portion of a rope (3) consisting of strands extending helically around a central void. The termination (1) has an external thread (16) for tensioning purposes and an internal bore (11) which accommodates with the central void to enable injection of grouting fluid.

Abstract: Flexible tension member includes a helical bundle of substantially identical elongate elements. Each element inside the bundle is in contact with six adjacent elements, and the lay length of the helical bundle is at least 30 times its diameter. Each element is a strand including wires extending helically around the axis of the strands and substantially all of the strands have a helical lay direction opposite to the helical lay direction of the bundle.

Abstract: A core for wire rope has a fluted member (1) of polymeric or elastomeric material with symmetrically spaced helical grooves (2) each having the shape of an elliptical arc in cross-section in a plane normal to the core axis. The core may contain a reinforcing member, conductors, or optical fibers.

Abstract: A loading and unloading system for pallets for containers or vehicles uses moving wire cables for loading. The system will guide and locate palletized goods on the moving wire cables. Downwardly extending members, such as wheels, on the pallets will be raised out of contact with the floor of the container or vehicle during conveying of the pallets.

Abstract: A method of baling straw, hay and like materials by feeding wrapping material around a cylindrical bale to hold the bale together is provided, in which method the wrapping material comprises a plurality of ends of twine which are fed simultaneously around the bale at positions spaced apart axially along the bale. The wrapping material comprises a baler twine package comprising a plurality of spooled ends of twine mounted co-axially and side-by-side on a common carrier, whereby in use the ends can be withdrawn simultaneously from positions spaced apart along the carrier to wrap a bale.

Abstract: A flexible element loading and unloading station in which a number of clo travelling loops are utilized over the top of a platform in such a way that one part of the loop in maximum tension carries the applied load while the other part travelling in the opposite direction is out of contact with the load.

Abstract: A stranded rope (12) of large size is made by assembling a plurality of strands (10) and a core (11) side-by-side along a track (13); securing the leading ends in a clamp (14); securing the trailing ends in spaced anchorages (17, 18); applying tension to the strands (10) and core (11); guiding the strands (10) intermediate the clamp (14) and anchorages (17, 18) into the closed rope array round the core (11) by means of a closing die (20) on a trolley (19); moving the trolley (19) from the clamp (14) to the anchorages (17, 18); rotating the clamp (14) progressively as the trolley (19) moves progressively; rotating the trailing ends of the strands (10) and core (11) progressively in the same direction as the clamp (14); securing all the strands (10) and the core (11) together adjacent the trailing ends; and releasing the tension from the strands and the core.

Abstract: Equipment for making a wire strand is characterised by the following features; an elongate track (12); a clamp (14) at one, leading end of the track rotatable about an axis parallel to the track; an anchor frame (15) at the other trailing end of the track having rotatable tensioning spaced anchorages (16) for wires (17) extending parallel to the track; a trolley (18) movable along the track (12) and carrying adjacent the leading end a rotatable closing die (19) having an aperture (20) of cross-section corresponding to the cross-section of the strand (11), and adjacent the trailing end a grouper plate (21) having spaced wire guide apertures (22) corresponding to the anchorages (16) on the anchor frame (15), there also being on the trolley (18) intermediate the closing die (19) and the grouper plate (21) a lay plate (23) having wire guide apertures (24) with spacings intermediate the spacing of the guide apertures (22) in the grouper plate ( 21) and the closeness in the closing die (19); a first drive arrangeme

Abstract: A rope assembly which floats on water comprises a load-bearing rope (e.g. of polyamide or polyester fibres or filaments), a layer of buoyant, substantially non-absorbent, flexible material (e.g. closed-cell plastics foam) arranged around the rope, and a flexible jacket (e.g. of polyamide, polyester or polypropylene fibres or filaments) outside the buoyant layer holding it in place, the buoyant material being present in such quantity that the rope assembly will float on water.