Inspectable Synthetic Tensile Member Assembly

Abstract

A protected synthetic tensile member assembly including one or more fixed terminations used to transmit a tensile load from the tensile member to an external component. The tensile member includes access for inspection of its constituent fibers in at least one selected inspection region. The region is selected on the basis of the area of interest to the tensile member's use—such as the area of greatest stress concentration or the area of greatest abrasion. A removable cover is provided for the inspection region. A user may selectively remove this cover in order to gain access to the inspection region.

1 . A method for providing and inspecting a durable yet inspectable tensile member assembly including synthetic fibers as a tension-carrying element, comprising:
 (a) providing a tensile member, including,
 (i) a core of synthetic fibers, said core having an end, 
 (ii) a termination on said end, said termination including an anchor with an anchor exit where said fibers exit said anchor, 
 (iii) a jacket surrounding said core; 
 (iv) an inspection region located proximate said anchor exit; 
   (b) providing a first cover configured to cover a first portion of said inspection region;   (c) providing a second cover configured to cover a second portion of said inspection region;   (d) opening said first cover in order to permit inspection of said first portion of said inspection region; and   (e) following said inspection of said first portion of said inspection region, closing said first cover.   
     
     
         2 . The method for providing and inspecting a durable yet inspectable tensile member assembly as recited in  claim 1  wherein said inspection region encompasses a potting interface. 
     
     
         3 . The method for providing and inspecting a durable yet inspectable tensile member assembly as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising providing a transparent sleeve covering said inspection region underneath said first cover. 
     
     
         4 . The method for providing and inspecting a durable yet inspectable tensile member assembly as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising providing interlocking features between said first cover and said jacket. 
     
     
         5 . The method for providing and inspecting a durable yet inspectable tensile member assembly as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising providing interlocking features between said first cover and said anchor. 
     
     
         6 . The method for providing and inspecting a durable yet inspectable tensile member assembly as recited in  claim 4 , wherein said interlocking features include a ring interlocking with an annular recess. 
     
     
         7 . The method for providing and inspecting a durable yet inspectable tensile member assembly as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 (a) wherein said core of synthetic fibers has a second end;   (b) providing a second termination on said second end, said second termination including a second anchor with a second anchor exit where said fibers exit said second anchor;   (c) providing a second inspection region located proximate said second anchor exit;   (d) providing a third cover configured to cover a first portion of said second inspection region;   (e) providing a fourth cover configured to cover a second portion of said second inspection region;   (f) opening said third cover in order to permit inspection of said first portion of said second inspection region; and   (g) following said inspection of said first portion of said second inspection region, closing said third cover.   
     
     
         8 . A method for providing and inspecting a durable yet inspectable tensile member assembly including synthetic fibers as a tension-carrying element, comprising:
 (a) providing a tensile member having a core of synthetic fibers, said tensile member having an end;   (b) providing a termination attached to said end of said tensile member, said termination including an anchor with an anchor exit where said core exits said anchor;   (c) wherein said anchor includes an internal passage and a length of said fibers lie within said internal passage; with said fibers being locked into a solidified potting compound, with said anchor completely surrounding said length of said fibers;   (d) providing a jacket surrounding said core;   (e) providing an inspection region proximate said anchor exit;   (f) providing a first cover configured to cover a first portion of said inspection region;   (g) providing a second cover configured to cover a second portion of said inspection region;   (h) opening said first cover in order to permit inspection of said first portion of said inspection region; and   (i) following said inspection of said first portion of said inspection region, closing said first cover.   
     
     
         9 . The method for providing and inspecting a durable yet inspectable tensile member assembly as recited in  claim 8  wherein said inspection region encompasses a potting interface. 
     
     
         10 . The method for providing and inspecting a durable yet inspectable tensile member assembly as recited in  claim 8 , further comprising providing a transparent sleeve covering said inspection region underneath said first cover. 
     
     
         11 . The method for providing and inspecting a durable yet inspectable tensile member assembly as recited in  claim 8 , further comprising providing interlocking features between said first cover and said jacket. 
     
     
         12 . The method for providing and inspecting a durable yet inspectable tensile member assembly as recited in  claim 8 , further comprising providing interlocking features between said first cover and said anchor. 
     
     
         13 . The method for providing and inspecting a durable yet inspectable tensile member assembly as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said interlocking features include a ring interlocking with an annular recess. 
     
     
         14 . The method for providing and inspecting a durable yet inspectable tensile member assembly as recited in  claim 8 , further comprising:
 (a) wherein said core of synthetic fibers has a second end;   (b) providing a second termination on said second end, said second termination including a second anchor with a second anchor exit where said fibers exit said second anchor;   (c) providing a second inspection region located proximate said second anchor exit;   (d) providing a third cover configured to cover a first portion of said second inspection region;   (e) providing a fourth cover configured to cover a second portion of said second inspection region;   (f) opening said third cover in order to permit inspection of said first portion of said second inspection region; and   (g) following said inspection of said first portion of said second inspection region, closing said third cover.   
     
     
         15 . A method for providing and inspecting a durable yet inspectable tensile member assembly including synthetic fibers as a tension-carrying element, wherein said tensile member assembly includes a core of said synthetic fibers, a jacket surrounding said core, an end, a termination attached to said end, said termination including an anchor, an anchor exit where said core exits said anchor, and an inspection region proximate said anchor exit, comprising:
 (a) providing a first cover configured to cover a first portion of said inspection region;   (b) providing a second cover configured to cover a second portion of said inspection region;   (c) opening said first cover in order to permit inspection of said first portion of said inspection region; and   (d) following said inspection of said first portion of said inspection region, closing said first cover.   
     
     
         16 . The method for providing and inspecting a durable yet inspectable tensile member assembly as recited in  claim 15  wherein said inspection region encompasses a potting interface. 
     
     
         17 . The method for providing and inspecting a durable yet inspectable tensile member assembly as recited in  claim 15 , further comprising providing a transparent sleeve covering said inspection region underneath said first cover. 
     
     
         18 . The method for providing and inspecting a durable yet inspectable tensile member assembly as recited in  claim 15 , further comprising providing interlocking features between said first cover and said jacket. 
     
     
         19 . The method for providing and inspecting a durable yet inspectable tensile member assembly as recited in  claim 15 , further comprising providing interlocking features between said first cover and said anchor. 
     
     
         20 . The method for providing and inspecting a durable yet inspectable tensile member assembly as recited in  claim 15 , wherein said tensile member assembly includes a second end, a second termination attached to said second end, said second termination including a second anchor, a second anchor exit, and a second inspection region proximate said second anchor exit, further comprising:
 (a) providing a third cover configured to cover a first portion of said second inspection region;   (b) providing a fourth cover configured to cover a second portion of said second inspection region;   (c) opening said third cover in order to permit inspection of said first portion of said second inspection region; and   (d) following said inspection of said first portion of said second inspection region, closing said third cover.