Rope handling and storage apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus for storing and protecting a length of rope or similar line. The apparatus includes a container and a rope at least partially storable within the container. The rope includes a withdrawable portion selectively withdrawable from storage within the container. The container is configured such that the withdrawable portion of the rope can be selectively drawn back into storage within the container. The apparatus further includes a clutch coupled to the container, the clutch configured to releasably non-slippingly engage the withdrawable portion of the rope.

1 . An apparatus, comprising: 
 a container;    a rope at least partially storable within the container, the rope defining a withdrawable portion selectively withdrawable from storage within the container, wherein the container is configured such that the withdrawable portion of the rope can be selectively drawn back into storage within the container; and    a clutch coupled to the container, the clutch configured to releasably non-slippingly engage the withdrawable portion of the rope.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein: 
 the withdrawable portion of the rope is a first withdrawable portion of the rope, the rope further defining a second withdrawable portion also selectively withdrawable from storage within the container;    the clutch is a first clutch, the apparatus further comprising a second clutch also coupled to the container and configured to releasably non-slippingly engage a corresponding a second withdrawable portion of the rope; and    the container is further configured such that the second withdrawable portion of the rope can be selectively drawn back into storage within the container.    
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a snubber configured to absorb at least some tensional shock exerted on the rope.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the snubber includes at least one of an elastic band, or a rubber band.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a selectively operable clasp coupled to the rope.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the container is fabricated from at least one of canvas fabric, nylon fabric, or polyester fabric.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the clutch comprises at least one of a Prusik knot, a Kleimheist knot, or a rolling hitch knot.  
     
     
         8 . An apparatus, comprising: 
 a container defining a storage cavity and a sleeve portion, the storage cavity being selectively accessible by a user;    a rope at least partially storable within the storage cavity, the rope defining first and second portions, wherein the first and second portions of the rope are respectively selectively withdrawable from the storage cavity, and wherein the first and second portions of the rope can be respectively selectively drawn back into the storage cavity; and    a cord at least partially disposed within the sleeve portion of the container, the cord defining first and second clutch knots, each of the first and second clutch knots configured to releasably non-slippingly engage a corresponding one of the first and second portions of the rope.    
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein: 
 the cord further defines an anchor knot; and    the container is configured such that the cord is substantially restrained within the sleeve portion by way of the anchor knot.    
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising a snubber coupled in parallel with the cord, the snubber configured to absorb at least some tensional shock exerted on the rope.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the snubber comprises at least one of an elastic band, or a rubber band.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein at least one of the first and second clutch knots is defined by a Prusik knot, a Kleimheist knot, or a rolling hitch knot.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein: 
 the container comprises a fabric; and    the container defines a selectively sealable cover portion over the storage cavity.    
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising a selectively operable clasp secured to the rope.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the rope is configured to define a closed loop portion.  
     
     
         16 . An apparatus, comprising: 
 a container formed of fabric, the container defining a user accessible storage cavity and first and second openings communicative with the storage cavity, the container also defining a selectively sealable cover portion over the storage cavity, the container further defining a sleeve portion;    a cord at least partially disposed within the sleeve portion, the cord defining first and second clutch knots disposed in respective adjacency to the first and second openings to the storage cavity, the cord restrained within the sleeve portion; and    a rope at least partially storable within the storage cavity, the rope defining a first portion selectively withdrawable from the storage cavity by way of the first opening and cooperative with the first clutch knot, the rope further defining a second portion selectively withdrawable from the storage cavity by way of the second opening and cooperative with the second clutch knot, wherein the first and second portions of the rope can be respectively selectively drawn back into the storage cavity, and wherein each of the first and second clutch knots is configured to releasably non-slippingly engage a corresponding one of the first and second portions of the rope.    
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising a snubber supported within the sleeve portion of the container, the snubber coupled in parallel with the cord, the snubber configured to absorb at least some tensional shock exerted on the rope.  
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein the rope is configured to define a closed loop portion.  
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising a selectively operable clasp secured to the rope.  
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein at least one of the first and second clutch knots is defined by a Prusik knot, a Kleimheist knot, or a rolling hitch knot.