The steel knot for ropes is a device to replace the time-honored metal hook and conventional knots used on tow and hoist ropes, and also tethering ropes. The device comprises two appropriately spaced rounded metal rings held together in proper relation to each other by 2 or more metal bars or similar connectors. To use the device, a rope is inserted through the rings and is then wrapped around the intended load. The end of the rope is then tucked between the device and a pushed-out portion of th...

A hoisting rope for an elevator includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced, discrete targets retained within the rope. The targets have a characteristic that may be monitored by a device that is responsive to that characteristic. In a particular embodiment, the targets are formed from a magnetically permeable material and the monitoring device responds to changes in the magnetic field as the target passes the monitoring device. In another embodiment, the targets are formed from material that ...

The device is placed in crevices of rocks or walls to secure a rope during climbing; it is later removed. The shape in end elevation is "trefoil" (i.e., three equiangularly spaced arms extending from a center, the ends of the arms being rounded) and in side elevation is preferably trapezoidal. Two intersecting holes are formed in the device across the bases of the two wider arms. A sling passes through the holes and serves to receive climbing rope elements. In a modification, a second set of two...

A manually adjustable apparatus (1) for hoisting pressing, stretching and keeping-fit exercises comprising a bar (2) and two ropes (3) provided with supporting loops (4). The ropes (3) independently extendable and shortenable, and the ropes are temporarily lockable in and releasable from cleat locks (7) by simple manipulation of the ropes and optionally of the bar (2). The bar is preferably suspended in an articulated way from a roof structure (9), so that the bar is swingable by movement of the...

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.

In an elevator sheave for a flat belt, the optimum crown height is within a range of approximately 0.033 to about 0.003 times the width of the elevator rope. The optimum radius is in the range of about 16.67 to about 50.00 times the width of the elevator rope. Both the crown height (h) and the crown radius (rc) may be expressed as a function of belt width (Wb). The groove width (wg) is in the range of approximately 1.5 and 2.25 times the width of the belt (Wb). A circumferential surface roughnes...

For securing a heavy wire rope (hawser), usually to the bow or stern of a large vessel but alternatively to an oil rig or jetty, a bollard comprises (a) a base securable to a deck and having an upstanding cylinder around which is an angled skirt or a plurality of angled brackets; (b) an upper portion having a cylinder which fits rotatably within the base, and on top of which is a round plate on which is fixed a fin, usually a pear-shaped base and the upper portion of which extends at an acute an...

A winch assembly is disclosed that eliminates rope crushing, even when synthetic ropes are used. Tension is applied to the rope by at least one traction sheave so that the tension at the drum is reduced. By using multiple sheaves with large wrap angles traction can be applied to the rope over a much larger area, reducing shear stress and minimizing internal wear due to relative motion of rope components. The winch drum and at least one traction sheave are driven independently, preferably by AC i...

A cam lock device for flexible ropes, cords or similar elongated materials has a pivotable cam element with a convexly curved, preferably knurled periphery and an eccentrically located pivot point supporting it on a base. A stationary cam surface integral with the base faces the cam element and includes at least one curved surface projecting towards the cam element for wedging the elongated material between the cam element and the stationary cam surface. A retaining edge above the stationary cam...

This invention provides a method of making single-wall carbon nanotubes by laser vaporizing a mixture of carbon and one or more Group VIII transition metals. Single-wall carbon nanotubes preferentially form in the vapor and the one or more Group VIII transition metals catalyzed growth of the single-wall carbon nanotubes. In one embodiment of the invention, one or more single-wall carbon nanotubes are fixed in a high temperature zone so that the one or more Group VIII transition metals catalyze f...