RAPID ROPE

Abstract

A rope dispensing system for dispensing a continuous rope from a compressed rope cartridge. The device has a canister for storage of the rope cartridge, a resealable lid with a grommet for passing the rope through the lid, and a replaceable cutting mechanism for cutting the rope. Preferably the rope cartridge is shrink-wrapped to fit within case and keep rope from unraveling.

Claims

1-14. (canceled)

15. A handheld rope dispenser, comprising: a canister defining a closed end, an open end, and an interior space; a rope cartridge received in the interior space; a lid releasably engaged with the open end of the canister, the lid defining an aperture through which rope is dispensable from the rope cartridge; and a cutting member on the lid configured to cut rope dispensed from the rope cartridge.

16. The rope dispenser of claim 15, wherein: the cutting member includes a blade having a cutting edge; and the cutting edge faces directly away from the aperture.

17. The rope dispenser of claim 16, wherein the cutting member includes a blade guard configured to prevent a user's finger from contacting the cutting edge.

18. The rope dispenser of claim 17, wherein: the blade guard defines a workspace in which the cutting edge of the blade is fixed; the workspace is sized to prevent the user's finger from contacting the cutting edge; and rope dispensed from the rope cartridge is receivable in the workspace to cut the rope against the cutting edge.

19. The rope dispenser of claim 18, wherein: the cutting member includes a base portion integrated with the lid; and the blade guard is spaced from the base portion so as to define the workspace between the blade guard and the base portion.

20. The rope dispenser of claim 19, wherein the cutting member is releasably attached to the lid.

21. The rope dispenser of claim 20, wherein: the lid defines an opening extending therethrough; and the base portion of the cutting member is received in the opening and releasably engaged with the lid.

22. The rope dispenser of claim 21, wherein the base portion of the cutting member is releasably engaged with the lid by a slidable engagement mechanism.

23. The rope dispenser of claim 21, wherein the base portion of the cutting member is releasably engaged with the lid by a snap-fit engagement mechanism.

24. The rope dispenser of claim 15, wherein: the lid defines an opening extending therethrough; and a portion of the cutting member is received in the opening and releasably engaged with the lid by a slidable engagement mechanism.

25. The rope dispenser of claim 15, wherein: the lid defines an opening extending therethrough; and a portion of the cutting member is received in the opening and releasably engaged with the lid by a snap-fit engagement mechanism.

26. The rope dispenser of claim 15, further comprising: the lid defines an opening extending therethrough and at least one cantilever with a catch; the cutting member includes a retention edge with which the catch is engaged to releasably retain the cutting member in the opening of the lid.

27. The rope dispenser of claim 15, wherein the rope cartridge is a coreless, wound, continuous length of rope at least partially contained in shrink wrap.

28. The rope dispenser of claim 27, wherein the rope cartridge is wound such that rope is released from the center of the cartridge when rope is dispensed through the rope dispenser.

29. The rope dispenser of claim 15, wherein the aperture is configured to prevent rope dispensed through the aperture from retracting into the interior space of the canister.

30. The rope dispenser of claim 29, further comprising: a grommet formed from a flexible and resilient material received in the aperture; wherein the grommet prevents rope dispensed through the aperture from retracting into the interior space of the canister

31. A method of dispensing rope, comprising: providing the rope dispenser of claim 15; pulling a length of rope from the rope cartridge through the aperture; and cutting the rope with the cutting member.

32. A handheld rope dispenser, comprising: a canister defining a closed end, an open end, and an interior space; a rope cartridge receivable in the interior space; a lid configured to releasably engage the open end of the canister, the lid defining an aperture through which rope is dispensable from the rope cartridge when the rope cartridge is received in the interior space, the lid is engaged with the open end of the canister, and the rope extends through the aperture from the interior space; a cutting member on the lid, said cutting member including a blade having a cutting edge and a blade guard configured to prevent a user's finger from contacting the cutting edge when manually cutting rope dispensed through the aperture from the interior space; and means on the lid for preventing rope dispensed through the aperture from retracting into the interior space of the canister.

33. The rope dispenser of claim 32, wherein: the lid defines an opening extending therethrough; and the cutting member is receivable in the opening and releasably engageable with the lid by a cantilever snap-fit engagement mechanism.

34. A handheld rope dispenser, consisting of: a canister defining a closed end, an open end, and an interior space; a rope cartridge receivable in the interior space; a lid configured to releasably engage the open end of the canister, the lid defining an aperture through which rope is dispensable from the rope cartridge when the rope cartridge is received in the interior space, the lid is engaged with the open end of the canister, and the rope extends through the aperture from the interior space; a cutting member on the lid, the cutting member including a blade having a cutting edge and a blade guard configured to prevent a user's finger from contacting the cutting edge when manually cutting rope; and means on the lid for preventing rope dispensed through the aperture from retracting into the interior space of the canister.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the disclosed Rapid-Rope system.

[0023] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the canister for the disclosed Rapid-Rope system.

[0024] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the lid for the disclosed Rapid-Rope system.

[0025] FIG. 4 is a top view of the lid for the disclosed Rapid-Rope system.

[0026] FIG. 5 is a side view of the lid for the disclosed Rapid-Rope system.

[0027] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the lid for the disclosed Rapid-Rope system with the cutting insert removed.

[0028] FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the lid for the disclosed Rapid-Rope system with the cutting insert removed.

[0029] FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the lid for the disclosed Rapid-Rope system with the cutting insert installed.

[0030] FIG. 9 is a side view of the cutting insert for the disclosed Rapid-Rope system.

[0031] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the cutting insert for the disclosed Rapid-Rope system.

[0032] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a shrink-wrapped rope cartridge for the disclosed Rapid-Rope system.

[0033] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the compressed rope cartridge for the disclosed Rapid-Rope system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0034] The components listed in this section correlate to the drawings submitted concurrently with this application, and are illustrative of the inventive concept(s) disclosed herein. It is thought that additional features and components can be included or substituted without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0035] Shown in the figures is an embodiment of the disclosed rope dispensing system 2. The lid 4 fastens to the canister 10. The rubber grommet 8 and the cutting insert 6 are located in the lid such that the grommet provides a pass through point for the rope 9. In a preferred embodiment, the lid forms the top of the assembly including the rubber grommet and cutting insert.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment, the lid is fastened to the canister with a snap fit system or is attached via threaded engagement to the canister 18. In the snap-fit system lid is snapped onto the canister and it is secured. Alternative mechanisms can be used to attach the lid to the canister.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment the cutting insert 6 has a bumper portion 22 and tab portion 26 that provides for protection of a user's fingers or other exterior object from the blade 20. The bumper portion and tab form a leg of the cutting insert provided in a u-shape. The cutting blade 20 is positioned in the valley of the U shape with width depicted by space 34 such that material outside of the u-shape is protected from the blade. In a preferred embodiment the cutting insert fits into an opening 36 in the lid. The cutting insert in a preferred embodiment is removable attached to the lid such that the cutting insert covers or closes the opening 36 while forming a unitary (1 piece) lid when attached. FIG. 9 depicts a view of the cutting insert 7 attached to the lid.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment, the lid is composed of plastic and manufactured by processes including, but not limited, to injection molding or blow molding. The lid can include a hand grip 12 for a user to grasp when removing the lid. The lid can be composed of a variety of materials that do not depart from the spirit of the invention.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment, the cut insert is a molded one-piece replaceable part. In the preferred embodiment, the cutting insert comprises a carbon steel blade over-molded inside the cut insert to insure an exact fit in every production. The carbon steel blade is protected by an over-mold, with a small opening, making the blade less accessible and the rope dispensing system safer for use. The length and width of the blade can vary based on the size, shape, and/or UTS of the rope contained in any given Rapid-Rope system product.

[0040] The cut insert can be made to be replaceable in a preferred embodiment. In this embodiment, an insert replacement part can be simply snapped into place after the original insert is removed. If the cut insert becomes dull due to use, the Rapid-Rope cut insert replacement can be easily installed.

[0041] FIGS. 11 and 12 depict embodiments of the replaceable rope cartridge. In a preferred embodiment the rope 42 is wound into a coreless rope cartridge and then shrink wrapped. FIG. 11 depicts the rope 42 wound into a coreless cartridge and encapsulated by shrink-wrapping 40. FIG. 12 depicts the coreless rope cartridge 44 without shrink wrapping and with an end of the rope protruding from the cartridge and ready to be pulled to be unwound from the cartridge, and thus dispensed.

[0042] The following is a description of how the cut insert is removed and how the Rapid-Rope cut insert replacement is installed in a preferred embodiment:

[0043] 1. Grasp the canister in hand and unsnap the lid.

[0044] 2. Place the lid on flat surface.

[0045] 3. Place fingers on the cut insert closest to the grommet.

[0046] 4. Release the catch and push down firmly on the cut insert closest to the grommet.

[0047] 5. Discard “old” cut insert.

[0048] 6. Slide new Rapid-Rope cut insert into place from inside of lid at the same location the “old” cut insert was removed from.

[0049] 7. Push the new Rapid-Rope cut insert in an upward direction until it clicks into place.

[0050] 8. Place the lid onto the canister and snap in place.

[0051] 9. Ready for use.

[0052] The grommet is located on the top of the lid and is designed to create resistance (or “hold”) on the rope being pulled and/or dispensed from the canister, so that it can be easily cut with the cut insert. The grommet in the depicted embodiment also aids in the container being water resistant.

[0053] The grommet in a preferred embodiment will be made of rubber material and will be manufactured by processes including but not limited to injection molding or blow molding.

[0054] The grommet in a preferred embodiment is a rubber ring is inserted into a hole through the lid, and is collared on all sides to keep the grommet in place.

[0055] In a preferred embodiment, the grommet is made to be replaceable. When and if the grommet becomes warn or damaged due to use, a grommet replacement can be easily installed.

[0056] The following is a description of how the grommet is removed and how the Rapid-Rope rubber grommet replacement is installed:

[0057] 1. Unsnap lid from the canister.

[0058] 2. Place the lid on flat surface and push the grommet in a downward direction until it is comes out of the collar inside the lid.

[0059] 3. Discard the “old” grommet.

[0060] 4. Install new Rapid-Rope rubber grommet by pushing into place from inside of the lid and into the molded collar until secure.

[0061] 5. Make sure the flat side of Rapid-Rope rubber grommet replacement is facing the cut insert.

[0062] 6. Place the lid onto the canister and snap in place.

[0063] 7. Ready for use.

[0064] The canister securely holds a cartridge of rope and fastens securely to the lid. As shown in FIG. 2, the canister 16 in a preferred embodiment is designed with straight side-walls to accept a pre-assembled cartridge of rope. The canister can be made, for example, such that cartridges of rope are replaced within the canister or such that the entire canister is disposable when the rope supply in the canister is exhausted.

[0065] In a preferred embodiment, the top of the canister has a snap fit system. Alternatively the canister could be made, for example, with hinged engagement to the lid or with threaded engagement with the lid. Any variety of attachment mechanism can be used to attach the lid to the canister.

[0066] In a preferred embodiment, the rope cartridge is wound (via precision coreless winding process) in a specified size to fit in a pre selected cartridge. The rope cartridge can be made to be replaceable within the canister such that a new rope cartridge can be placed into a canister when the prior rope cartridge is exhausted.

[0067] In a preferred embodiment, the rope material contained in the rope cartridge is produced using various types and lengths and Ultimate Tensile Strength (UTS) rope.

[0068] The rope cartridge will be packaged in shrink-wrap material to maintain the integrity of the original winding process; the rope cartridge will maintain its original form due to the shrink wrapping while in use so that it will it continue to fit securely in the cartridge until the rope is entirely dispensed.

[0069] When and if the rope cartridge is running low or is empty, the canister can be refilled with a new Rapid-Rope rope cartridge. The original and replacement rope cartridges are packaged specifically for the Rapid-Rope rope dispensing system.

[0070] The following is a description of how the rope cartridge is removed and how the Rapid-Rope rope cartridge replacement is installed:

[0071] 1. Rope cartridge out (empty) or low.

[0072] 2. Unsnap lid from canister and set lid aside.

[0073] 3. Discard empty shrink wrap.

[0074] 4. Insert new rope cartridge into canister with tail of rope standing out of the top or new rope cartridge.

[0075] 5. Insert tail of rope through grommet and pull a one-inch length of rope out.

[0076] 6. Place lid onto canister and snap in place.

[0077] 7. Ready for use.

[0078] In a preferred embodiment, the lid assembly includes a hand grip. The hand grip is located around the circumference of the lid and is in place for the aid of easily loosening and tightening of the lid. The hand grip is contoured for easy grip of the lid by the user. The half moon shape of the lid is designed to fit into the hand of the user easily. The hand grip is designed to protect the entire lid assembly. The design of the hand grip also adds an aesthetic attribute to the lid.

[0079] While the presently disclosed inventive concept(s) is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof have been shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the inventive concept(s) to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the inventive concept(s) as defined in the claims of any future filed non-provisional application.