Armored Rigging System

Abstract

An assembly and method for using a flexible tensile member as part of the rigging for a heavy machine such as those used in the mining industry. The inventive tensile member includes a core surrounded by a separate armor layer. The armor layer assumes various forms, including a hollow cylinder having a substantial wall thickness. The core produces excellent strength in tension (and with a substantial reduction in weight). The armor layer protects the core from external blows and forces produced by the weight of the other parts of the machine's rigging and the hostile environment in which the machine operates.

1 . An armored tensile strength member comprising:
 (a) a stranded core having an end;   (b) said end of said stranded core being locked into a termination;   (c) an armor layer surrounding said stranded core; and   (d) a plurality of elastic bumpers surrounding said armor layer, wherein each of said clastic bumpers is configured to slide over said armor layer.   
     
     
         2 . The armored tensile strength member as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said armor layer extends into said termination. 
     
     
         3 . The armored tensile strength member as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each of said elastic bumpers is formed in the shape of a donut having an inner diameter and an outer diameter, with said inner diameter being sized to slide freely over said armor diameter. 
     
     
         4 . The armored tensile strength member as recited in  claim 3 , wherein said termination includes a thrust face configured to bear against one of said clastic bumpers. 
     
     
         5 . The armored tensile strength member as recited in  claim 3 , wherein each of said elastic bumpers includes an outward facing radius configured to bear against a second outward facing radius on an adjacent elastic bumper. 
     
     
         6 . The armored tensile strength member as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising:
 (a) a sheave; and   (b) wherein said outer diameter of said bumpers is sized to pass over said sheave.   
     
     
         7 . The armored tensile strength member as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a chain segment attached to said termination. 
     
     
         8 . The armored tensile strength member as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said stranded core is locked to said termination by potting. 
     
     
         9 . The armored tensile strength member as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said stranded core is locked to said termination by potting. 
     
     
         10 . The armored tensile strength member as recited in  claim 3 , wherein said stranded core is locked to said termination by potting. 
     
     
         11 . An armored tensile strength member comprising:
 (a) a stranded core having an end;   (b) said end of said stranded core being attached to a termination configured to transmit a tensile load from said stranded core through said termination;   (c) an armor layer surrounding said stranded core; and   (d) a plurality of clastic bumpers surrounding said armor layer, wherein each of said elastic bumpers is configured to slide over said armor layer.   
     
     
         12 . The armored tensile strength member as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said armor layer extends into said termination. 
     
     
         13 . The armored tensile strength member as recited in  claim 11 , wherein each of said clastic bumpers is formed in the shape of a donut having an inner diameter and an outer diameter, with said inner diameter being sized to slide freely over said armor diameter. 
     
     
         14 . The armored tensile strength member as recited in  claim 13 , wherein said termination includes a thrust face configured to bear against one of said elastic bumpers. 
     
     
         15 . The armored tensile strength member as recited in  claim 13 , wherein each of said elastic bumpers includes an outward facing radius configured to bear against a second outward facing radius on an adjacent elastic bumper. 
     
     
         16 . The armored tensile strength member as recited in  claim 12  further comprising:
 (a) a sheave; and 
 (b) wherein said outer diameter of said bumpers is sized to pass over said sheave. 
 
     
     
         17 . The armored tensile strength member as recited in  claim 11 , further comprising a chain segment attached to said termination. 
     
     
         18 . The armored tensile strength member as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said stranded core is locked to said termination by potting. 
     
     
         19 . The armored tensile strength member as recited in  claim 12 , wherein said stranded core is locked to said termination by potting. 
     
     
         20 . The armored tensile strength member as recited in  claim 13 , wherein said stranded core is locked to said termination by potting.