Tapered Line Splice Systems and Methods

Abstract

A tapered rope structure comprises a first rope region, a second rope region, and a splice region. The splice region is between the first and second rope regions and comprises a taper portion, a finish portion, and an overlap portion. The finish portion is arranged between the taper portion and the first rope region. The overlap portion is arranged between the taper portion and the second rope region. A diameter of the first rope region is smaller than a diameter of the second rope region. A diameter of the overlap portion is greater than the diameter of the second rope region. A diameter of the splice region generally decreases from the overlap portion to the first rope region.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tapered rope structure comprising:
 a first rope region;   a second rope region; and   a splice region between the first and second rope regions, the splice region comprising   a taper portion,   a finish portion arranged between the taper portion and the first rope region, and   an overlap portion arranged between the taper portion and the second rope region; wherein   a diameter of the first rope region is smaller than a diameter of the second rope region,   a diameter of the overlap portion is greater than the diameter of the second rope region, and   a diameter of the splice region generally decreases from the overlap portion to the first rope region.   
     
     
         2 . A tapered rope structure as recited in  claim 1 , in which:
 the first rope region is formed by a first rope member;   the second rope region is formed by a second rope member; and   at least a portion of the first rope member is arranged within the second rope member to define the overlap portion.   
     
     
         3 . A tapered rope structure as recited in  claim 2 , in which the taper portion is formed by the first rope member and a portion of the second rope member. 
     
     
         4 . A tapered rope structure as recited in  claim 2 , in which:
 the second rope member comprises a plurality of strands; and   the taper portion is formed by sub-strands comprising portions of the plurality of strands.   
     
     
         5 . A tapered rope structure as recited in  claim 4 , in which the sub-strands comprise portions of the plurality of strands. 
     
     
         6 . A tapered rope structure as recited in  claim 4 , in which the sub-strands comprise portions of at least two of the plurality of strands. 
     
     
         7 . A tapered rope structure as recited in  claim 5 , in which the sub-strands comprise portions of at least two of the plurality of strands. 
     
     
         8 . A tapered rope structure as recited in  claim 4 , in which the sub-strands comprise a plurality of sub-components of the strands. 
     
     
         9 . A tapered rope structure as recited in  claim 8 , in which the sub-strands comprise at least a portion of one yarn from a first one of the plurality of strands and at least a portion of one yarn from a second one of the plurality of strands. 
     
     
         10 . A tapered rope structure as recited in  claim 4 , in which the sub-strands are tucked into the first rope member within the taper region. 
     
     
         11 . A tapered rope structure as recited in  claim 10 , in which each sub-strand is tucked along a pic line defined by S-strands of the first rope member. 
     
     
         12 . A tapered rope structure as recited in  claim 4 , in which:
 a portion of at least a first one of the sub-strands is laid parallel to the first rope member; and   a portion of at least a second one of the sub-strands is wrapped at least partly around the first one of the sub-strands.   
     
     
         13 . A method of forming a tapered rope structure comprising the steps of:
 providing first and second rope members;   inserting a first portion of the first rope member partly into the second rope member at an insertion point;   unbraiding a portion of the second rope member between the insertion point and a bitter end of the second rope member;   forming sub-strands from the unbraided portion of the second rope member; and   tucking at least a portion of each of the sub-strands into a second portion of the first rope member.   
     
     
         14 . A method as recited in  claim 13 , in which the step of forming the sub-strands comprises the steps of:
 determining a number of sub-strands based on a total number of picks within a splice region defined between the first and second rope members; and   dividing the unbraided portion of the second rope member into the determined number of sub-strands.   
     
     
         15 . A method as recited in  claim 14 , in which each of the sub-strands are substantially volumetrically equivalent. 
     
     
         16 . A method as recited in  claim 14 , in which step of dividing the unbraided portion of the second rope member into sub-strands comprises the step of arranging an equal number of yarns in each sub-strand. 
     
     
         17 . A method as recited in  claim 14 , further comprising the step of cutting at least some of the sub-strands during the process of tucking the sub-strands into the first rope member. 
     
     
         18 . A method as recited in  claim 14 , in which the step of determining the number of sub-strands is further based on a relationship between cross-sectional areas of the first and second rope members. 
     
     
         19 . A method as recited in  claim 14 , in which the step of determining the number of sub-strands is further based on a pick per inch value associated with the first rope member. 
     
     
         20 . A method as recited in  claim 13 , in which at least one of the sub-strands is divided into finish strands that are separately inserted into the first rope member. 
     
     
         21 . A method as recited in  claim 20 , in which at least two of the finish strands are combined to form a final strand that is inserted into the first rope member.