Sling based lifting system
AssigneeEnduro Softslings B.V.
InventorSytse VAN DER MOLEN
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Abstract
A method of producing a split eye sling comprises winding high-tenacity continuous filament around a pair of winding posts to form first and second bundles having respective first and second eyes. The bundles are combined together to form a heavy-lift sling wherein at least at a first end of the sling, the bundles are kept separated to form a pair of eyes. A split eye sling and a lifting system using trunnion blocks is also disclosed.
Claims42
A method of producing a split-eye, heavy-lift sling, the method comprising:
- setting a pair of winding posts to a pre-defined sling length;
- winding high-tenacity continuous filament around a first portion of the winding posts a number of turns to complete a first bundle having first and second eyes;
- winding high-tenacity continuous filament around a second portion of the winding posts a number of turns to complete a second bundle having first and second eyes;
- after completing winding of the first and second bundles, releasing the posts to allow removal of the bundles;
- and
- combining the bundles together to form a sling, while maintaining at least the first eyes of the first and second bundles separate.
The method of any one of the previous claims, wherein the continuous filament is delivered as a multi-filament yarn from a reel.
The method of any one of the previous claims, wherein the continuous filament is delivered as a plurality of multi-filament tows, each tow being delivered from a separate reel.
The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the method further comprises controlling a circumference and/or tension of each turn of the filament around the two posts.
The method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising winding the continuous filament at least 30, preferably at least 50 and, more preferably at least 70 turns around the pair of winding posts for each bundle.
The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the winding posts are set to a pre-defined sling length of from 2 m to 150 m, preferably from 5 m to 50 m.
The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second portions are separated by a divider configured to keep the first sling and the second sling apart during winding.
The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein combining the bundles together comprises providing at least one sleeve surrounding the first and second bundles, leaving the eyes exposed.
The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein maintaining at least the first eyes of the first and second bundles separate comprises forming a soft thimble around each of the first eyes.
A split-eye sling comprising first and second identical bundles of high-tenacity continuous filament, combined together to form a heavy-lift sling having a first end and a second end, wherein at least at the first end of the sling, the bundles are separated to form a pair of eyes.
An apparatus for winding a split-eye sling comprising first and second identical bundles of high-tenacity continuous filament, the apparatus comprising:
- a frame;
- a pair of winding posts, engageable with the frame to define a predetermined sling length and releasable to allow removal of the sling after winding;
- a winding unit, traversable on the frame to wind a continuous filament around the winding posts to form a sling;
- wherein each winding post comprises a first portion for the first bundle and a second portion for the second bundle, separated by a dividing region, which keeps the bundles separated until release of the winding posts.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.