Lightweight, Ultra-Strong Leash for Water Sports

Abstract

A lightweight, ultra-strong leash for water sports is disclosed. The utility model relates to a tether, herein called a “leash,” for attaching a person to a canoe, kayak, foil, paddleboard, surfboard, surfski or similar watercraft. The leash allows a person to maintain connection to the watercraft in case of temporary separation such as from capsizing or falling. The leash comprises a resilient rope, rope swivels, hardware, and an adjustable cuff or belt. The leash attaches at one end to the watercraft and at the other end to the cuff or belt, which is worn by the sporting person. The full assembly is compact and features two mechanisms for optional quick-connect or quick-disconnect. The leash has equivalent strength to wire strand steel but is extremely lightweight. The materials' resistances to UV degradation and water and salt water deterioration uniquely boost the full assembly's overall strength and integrity initially and over time.

Claims

1. The invention claimed is a lightweight, ultra-strong leash for water sports with quick-connect and -disconnect capacity, the accessory leash composed of components: a main retractable, composite and jacketed cord; eye loops; swiveling smaller ropes; quick-connect, -disconnect hardware (snap hook and quick link); a cuff or belt that attaches to the leg or waist; a quick-connect, -disconnect buckle.

2. The component leash of claim 1, made of rope sheathed in a thermoplastic jacket engineered into a retractable coil.

3. The component leash of claim 1, made of rope sheathed in a resilient thermoplastic jacket engineered into any straight length.

4. The component leash of claim 1, made of UHMWPE sheathed in a TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) jacket thermally engineered into a retractable coil.

5. The component leash of claim 1, made of UHMWPE sheathed in a TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) jacket engineered into any straight length.

6. The component leash of claim 1, made of any combination of straight sections and coiled sections; the overall length when extended or retracted or diameter of cord or coiled cord may vary.

7. The component of claim 1, with sections of coiled TPU or thermoplastic sleeve with UV resistance and water and salt water corrosion resistance, through which the UHMWPE (or any other fibrous rope) may be drawn or coated and therefore jacketed; the jacket makes the elasticized coil for the UHMWPE rope and protects it from UV radiation as well as from water and salt water corrosion, and any diameter or length of cord within any diameter or length of TPU may be utilized for the assembly of a retractable cord.

8. The component of claim 1, with sections of non-coiled or straight TPU or thermoplastic sleeve with UV resistance and water and salt water corrosion resistance, through which the UHMWPE cord may be drawn or coated and therefore jacketed; the jacket makes the resilient sleeve for the UHMWPE rope and protects it from UV radiation as well as from water and salt water corrosion, and any diameter or length of cord within any diameter or length of TPU may be utilized for the terminal ends of the main jacketed rope, such that they may be knotted or otherwise rigged, or for any other section of the rope.

9. The components of claim 1: swivels made of rope that rely on the nature of woven fibrous rope to swivel and unswivel.

10. The components of claim 1: swivels made of UHMWPE that rely on the nature of woven fibrous rope to swivel and unswivel.

11. The component of claim 1: a snap hook for use in a leash assembly with rope swivels, which may be manufactured with 304 or 316 stainless steel or other metals or carbonized resins, and hooks to the rope swivel at one end by knotting and/or looping; the snap hook providing one of the main quick-connect or -disconnect means for attaching or detaching the main leash assembly from the cuff or belt worn by the person, typically at the quick link, though it may snap directly to the cuff.

12. The component of claim 1: a quick link for use to connect a leash assembly to a cuff or belt by feeding it through a sewn loop in the cuff strapping and securing it to itself by closing the link nut on the link body to its own machined threads.

13. The component of claim 1: a cuff assembly, which may be composed of a strap that may be made of polyester or aramid or UHMWPE or similar webbed polymerous materials; may be sewn with thread that may be polyester or aramid or UHMWPE or similar, and may be secured via a 2-part polymerous buckle, a 1-part polymerous glide, and an elastic loop or keeper; and as a whole may attach to the sporting person above the calf or at the waist.

14. The component of claim 1: a method of making terminal loops or eyes by knotting polymerous jacketed rope, with the loop terminals secured by sewing with UHMWPE or polyester or aramid thread that may be composed of various diameters or strands.

15. The component of claim 1: a ferrules that may be made of hardened resinous or polymerous or metal sleeves such as POM or stainless steel, bronze, aluminum, or any other suitable material, through which the terminal rope ends may be fed and secured within by the sewing of thread through holes in the ferrule body.

16. The component of claim 1: clear (translucent or transparent) thermoplastic shrink tubes, may be utilized for both securing and protecting from UV degradation the terminal ends of the thermoplastic jacketed rope and/or UHMWPE knots and swivels, and for the method of allowing for the inspection of subcomponents, namely for observing integrity of the invention; it may be manufactured from a thermoplastic material such as polyolefin, fluoropolymer (such as FEP, PTFE or Kynar), PVC, or silicone elastomer.

17. The component of claim 13 is a strap that may be made of polyester or aramid or UHMWPE fibers or other polymerous synthetic fibers, sewn into one folded-over loop at one end; it may be sewn with thread that may be polyester or UHMWPE or aramid or other fibers; it may be of varying lengths to fit the sporting person's leg or waist (belt-length) and is adjustable to accommodate different custom lengths.

18. The component method of attachment of claim 13 may be a POM or other polymerous two-part buckle that may be sewn at the female end into the strap; this buckle provides a quick-connect or -disconnect means to separate the leash and cuff from the wearer.

19. The component method of assembly of claim 13 may be a POM or other polymerous glide or triglide that the strap is slid through and allows for adjustment of the overall length of the cuff.

20. The component method of assembly of claim 13 may be an elastic loop that the excess strap may be slid through to secure the excess length; it may be made of any elastic material and/or polymerous or natural material.

21. A kit of parts comprising the make, method, and use of claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] DWG 1: In FIG. 1 the full leash assembly overview is shown and all main components are identified.

[0012] DWG 2: In FIG. 2 a short section of TPU jacketed and coiled UHMWPE is shown.

[0013] DWG 3: In FIG. 3 the cuff strap is identified.

[0014] DWG 4: In FIG. 4 the ferrule is identified.

[0015] DWG 5: In FIG. 5 a quick link is identified. In FIG. 6 a snap hook is identified.

[0016] DWG 6: In FIG. 7 a paddler is shown wearing the leash connected to the waist and the vessel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] DWG 1: In FIG. 1 the full leash assembly overview, including the cuff assembly, is shown as it would appear lying on its side, and all main components are identified. 100 shows the main leash component, namely a retracted coil of TPU jacketing a length of UHMWPE rope* within it. 101 shows a knotted loop on a terminal end of the jacketed rope, and it is mirrored at the other end; thus the two terminal ends of the jacketed rope are secured by a method of knotting that creates two identical “eye” loops. The terminal eye loops may be secured by stitching 102 with UHMWPE or aramid or polyester thread through a transparent ferrule 103 and sealed and protected with transparent thermoplastic shrink tubing 104. Components 100, 101, 102, 103, and 104 are all UV resistant and resistant to water and salt water corrosion. The terminal eye loops are secured with clear (transparent or translucent) ferrules and clear thermoplastic shrink tube such that they may be routinely inspected for repair or retirement of the leash component, which is repairable in part or replaceable as a whole. The diameters of rope or cord utilized in 100, 105, and 107 are rope components that may vary according to the requirements of the overall assembly and a particular water sport. (Rope is defined alternately as cord and herein refers to stranded synthetic fibers drawn into various lengths and at various diameters; any rope or cord herein referred to may be composed of different strand counts. UHMWPE rope or cord has load ratings that vary by strand count and diameter.)

[0018] 105 shows a rope segment that functions as a “swivel,” herein referred to as a swivel or rope swivel, and may be made by the method of knotting a length of UHMWPE into a loop. 106 is clear thermoplastic shrink tube sealing and protecting the terminal ends of the rope loop. 105 is further looped by method through the eye loop 101 at one end and through a mechanical “eye” in the snap hook 109. Through this method of knotting and looping, and securing the terminal ends with transparent or “see-though” tubing, a component system that functions as a swivel is achieved, the overall strength of which is inherent in the fundamental properties of the rope and superior to mechanical swivels. This rope swivel provides connection to the cuff assembly 110 that is worn by the sporting person. FIG. 7 shows this connection at the waist 701, but the connection may also be made on a limb, such as above the calf. 702 shows the cuff assembly alternately worn above the calf. The UHMWPE swivels are knotted to make loops and are reinforced with 106, 108 clear thermoplastic shrink tube that may be of polyolefin or PVC or another thermoplastic. Different diameters of UHMWPE may be utilized, for example from 1 mm to 3 mm. Another larger rope swivel 107 loops through a terminal end of the main component and further loops around and/or through a component on the vessel, typically a bar of some sort that is manufactured into the vessel specifically for the attachment of a leash. The other swivel 105 loops through the eye in the quick link and once again through a terminal loop on the main cord. This subsystem of the main TPU-jacketed cord and two rope swivels with quick link comprise the overall “leash” and means of primary attachment to vessel and sportsperson.

[0019] 107 shows a larger rope swivel made by the identical method of knotting a length of UHMWPE into a loop. 108 is transparent polymerous shrink tube, sealing and protecting the terminal ends of the rope. 107 is further looped by method through the eye loop opposite and identical to 101 on the main leash body. Through this method of knotting and looping, and securing the terminal ends with transparent or “see-though” tubing, a component system that functions as a swivel is achieved, the overall strength of which is inherent in the fundamental properties of the rope. This rope swivel provides connection to the watercraft, typically around a mechanical bar fastened into or onto the watercraft. FIG. 7 shows this connection 703, where the looped swivel is connected by a loop knot to a bar on an outrigger canoe.

[0020] 109 is a snap hook made of 304 or 316 stainless steel and is shown in detail in FIG. 6. The snap hook is a quick connect or disconnect metal spring hook that joins the main leash, via swivel, to the cuff, namely at the quick link 111. 111 is connected to the cuff through a loop sewn into the cuff, shown in FIG. 3, 302. The quick link is made of 304 or 316 stainless steel and is shown in detail in FIG. 5. Both 109 and 111 are UV resistant and resistant to water and salt water corrosion. Both 109 and 111 have load ratings for rigging, and these components may be sized in accordance with the requirements of the overall leash assembly and a particular water sport. Both 109 and 111 are unique components through method of assembly and application of use in this invention.

[0021] 110 shows the polymerous strap comprised of interwoven webbing that functions, through methods of sewing and interrelated hardware or “plastic-ware” either as a cuff or belt depending on its length. The main strap component attaches to the sporting person and is shown in detail in FIG. 3. 112 shows a polymerous buckle that connects either end of the strap to the other. 113 shows a “glide” through which the strap slides; the glide performs the function of allowing the strap to be adjusted as well as locking the strap, through friction and tension, into a customizable adjusted length. Both 112 and 113 are unique components through method of assembly and application of use. 114 shows a “keeper” made of UV resistant polymerous-and-elastic fabric sewn into a loop, through which excess strap is managed or made snug to the main cuff and keeps the excess from flopping around or chafing the wearer. The entire assembly 110, 111, 112, 113 and 114 is composed of smooth components, the utilization of which will not result in chafing, which is a widespread problem in water sports. 110, 111, 112, 113 and 114 are UV resistant and water and salt water corrosion resistant.

[0022] DWG. 2: FIG. 2 shows a spiral section 200 of UHMWPE jacketed with TPU from a side perspective, and 201 shows the same section rotated 90 degrees. Here the TPU provides an elasticized jacket or housing for the rope or cord within, where the spiral jacket retracts the rope length by a ratio of about one to ten (1:10). 202 shows the same section from a top or bottom view, and 203 shows an isometric perspective of the jacket with strands of rope protruding in 204. The rope 204 is freely jacketed within the spiralized, retracting TPU 203. The diameter of the jacket and the thickness of the TPU may vary according to the requirements of a particular assembly but are uniquely UV resistant and resistant to water and salt water corrosion. The TPU jacket 203 performs the utility of protecting the rope and provisioning it with elasticity, such that during most of its use the assembly is compact and may easily extend the jacketed rope 204 by ten times or so, to most of the original length of the rope within.

[0023] DWG 3. FIG. 3 300 shows a top view of a strap of polymerous or aramid or UHMWPE woven webbing that is narrow in proportion to its length. 301 shows a top view of the strap folded and sewn such that a two-part polyoxymethylene (POM) side-release buckle (female end 302, male end 301) is sewn into the strap at the female end; the other end of the strap slides through the buckle's male end 301. 304 shows a box-stitch method and 305 shows a bar-stitch method, both of which hold the folded strap over and create a loop 303. 303 shows the folded loop made in the strap-cuff assembly, wherein the quick link (111 and 500) is inserted and secured around it. The snap hook (109 and 600) connects the main leash body to the quick link secured to the cuff. 306 shows an elastic polymerous “keeper” through which any excess length of the strap may be drawn and secured. 307 shows a POM glide that the strap slides through and allows for both adjustment of overall length and securing of the excess strap length beyond the buckle. The buckle assembly (301 and 302) functions as a quick connect or disconnect of the cuff assembly from the wearer. The assembly in FIG. 3 is adjustable to fit around a limb, such as above the calf, or at the waist, either by attachment to another accessory or via elongating the assembly to make a belt.

[0024] DWG 4: FIG. 4 shows a ferrule 400 top or bottom view, the rounded hollow of which allows for the insertion of the TPU-jacketed UHMWPE or rope. 401 shows a wide-side view of such a ferrule with four holes on either side. 402 shows a narrow side-view of the ferrule with four holes through the main body. 403 shows an isometric view of a polymerous ferrule through which TPU-jacketed rope may be inserted for securing and joining. Four holes are shown but more or fewer may by utilized for the purpose of allowing thread to be sewn through the ferrule, thereby stitching the inserted TPU-jacketed rope or non-jacketed rope together. The polymerous or aluminum or other-material ferrule may be sewn or adhered, or both, into place.

[0025] DWG 5: FIG. 5 shows a quick link 500 that functions like a chain link to quickly link other things together, in this case the rope swivel 105 and snap hook 109 at the cuff loop 303.

[0026] DWG 5: FIG. 6 shows a snap hook 600 that functions as a quick connect or disconnect of the main leash assembly from the cuff assembly.

[0027] DWG 7: FIG. 7 shows a paddler on an outrigger canoe wearing the leash assembly 700 connected by the cuff at the waist 701. The paddler is also wearing a cuff above the calf 702, for alternate attachment of the leash assembly. The leash assembly in this instance is attached by UHMWPE swivel loop 703 to a bar extending out from the canoe.

[0028] Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is a polyethylene that is standardly drawn into fibers, and from these fibers ropes are made. UHMWPE ropes may replace steel wire rope in industries such as shipping and in sports such as sailing. It is extremely UV resistant and water and salt water corrosion resistant, with no corrosion even after laboratory immersion in salt water for six-month periods. The strength of UHMWPE as a rope is related to the number of strands, and charts outlining both breaking strength and working loads of UHMWPE are readily available internationally. Similar to wire rope, UHMWPE may be drawn through a protective sleeve, such as a vinyl tube.

[0029] For the purposes of this invention, the UHMWPE may be drawn through a tube made from a material such as vinyl or coated with a polymer, such as TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane). By this means the UHMWPE fiber, rope, or cord (all names being roughly equivalent) becomes “jacketed.” UHMWPE has a low melting point and does not have thermoplastic properties, namely, “memory” of a shape taken during a heating process. Therefore, by jacketing the UHMWPE with a thermoplastic, it is protected, and the jacket can be coiled and heated using typical coil cord mechanical processes. Applying mathematical scaling of helixes, a 3 mm length of UHMWPE may be coated and jacketed inside 1 mm thick thermoplastic. This total diameter of 5 mm jacketed rope may then be coiled around a rod of any certain diameter and heated. Typically, once the coiled parameters are engineered, the TPU jacketed UHMWPE may be wound around a rod and clamped in place. Such a coil may be set inside a manufacturing oven, which heats the aggregate coil at a temperature lower than the melting point of the jacket and typically lower than the melting point of the material inside the jacket. This may be approximately 300 degrees Fahrenheit for TPU coated UHMWPE. By this means, a springlike coil of rope may be achieved, whereby the jacket maintains the spiral or helix shape, and the UHMWPE merely follows the winding of the shape from within. A coating process allows the UHMWPE to be jacketed. A mechanical coiling and heating process of the sleeve or jacket allows the component to form into an elasticized spiral or helix. By this means a rope with an overall length of 300 cm may retract into a springlike shape of a 30 cm coil.

[0030] It is the resilient nature of the coil to then retract the full length of the rope or cord with it. By this means, for example, 350 cm of 3 mm UHMWPE, jacketed by 1 mm of TPU may be retracted inside a helix of TPU with an overall compact length of 30 cm. These denominations scale according to the diameter of rope, diameter jacket and size of rod used for wrapping the jacketed rope in preparation for the heating process. Therefore, various lengths may be made suitable for different watercraft, such as surfboard or canoe, and according to the preference of the enthusiast. Straight lengths may be left at either end, typically for the purpose of attaching to the next component in the assembly or for variations suitable to the sport. For example, a stand-up paddle-board preference may be to have 60 cm lengths of straight cord at either end and a 15 cm coil of retractable length in the middle, which may extend to 180 cm required, and by this means the enthusiast actually has a 300 cm-long “leash” or tether. The coil may be eliminated altogether for surfboards or other similar watercraft, and the assembly of the components may be otherwise the same.

[0031] The hardware, namely the ferrules, may be made by mold injection or 3D printing or laser-etching and from materials such as polymerous plastics, resins, or metal.

Outline of Assembly

[0032] 1: Once the mean leash coil components 100 are cooled, they are ready for assembly with the other components which are the 105, 107 rope swivels, 109, 111, hardware, 110 cuff or belt, and 103 ferrules.
2: The terminal lengths of component 100 may be tied into knots so as to make an eye loop, and the knot terminals may be sewn back onto the main jacketed rope either freely or through a ferrule 103. The thread utilized to sew the terminals may be a smaller diameter of UHMWPE, such as 0.5 mm, and the ferrule may be utilized to reinforce both the loop and the terminal ends and stitching. Clear thermoplastic shrink tube of a material such as polyolefin or PVC may be used to further secure the terminal loop and aid in inspection.
3: Rope swivel 105 is looped through the eye of a snap hook 109, which is in turn looped through an eye loop 101 of the TPU-jacketed UHMWPE.
Rope swivel 107 is looped through the other eye of the TPU-jacketed UHMWPE. The rope swivels may be made of a tied loop of smaller-dimension UHMWPE, such as 1 mm. Clear thermoplastic shrink tube such as polyolefin or PVC may be used to further secure the terminal ends of the knotted rope swivel and aid in inspection.
4: The cuff or belt 110 may be made from polyester or UHMWPE webbing or strap. A loop is sewn into the strap, where the second piece of hardware 111, a quick link, is attached to the cuff or belt. The cuff or belt is completed by side release buckles that may be fabricated from POM or an epoxy or carbon composite.

CONCLUSION

[0033] By utilizing superior polymolecular, polystrand products with both UV resistance and water and salt water corrosion resistance, and by jacketing the polystrand product (UHMWPE) with TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane with “memory”), a superior, lightweight, ultra-strong leash system with quick releases and a low-stretch cuff is hereby invented that weighs half of standard leashes and is comparably strong to cable steel.