Lower drag helix rope for pelagic trawls and methods

Abstract

A method for forming a helix rope for a trawl comprising the steps of: a) situating upon a portion of a rope a bead of a substance being selected from a group consisting of: (i) a liquid substance; and (ii) a semi-liquid substance. A helix rope ( 35 ) for forming portions of a pelagic trawl, the helix rope comprising a braided sheath ( 398 ) formed of greater than sixteen strands ( 397 ), whereby drag is reduced. A method for forming a high strength synthetic rope useful for towing warps, trawler warps, yachting ropes, mooring lines, anchoring lines, oil derrick anchoring lines, seismic lines, paravane lines, and any other uses for rope, cable or chain.

1 - 35 . (canceled) 
     
     
         36 . A rope ( 35 ) for forming a mesh bar in a trawl, the rope ( 35 ) including:
 a) a strength member core ( 37 );   b) a sheath ( 398 ); and   c) a helixing strand ( 36 ) that is situated mainly about the outside of the sheath ( 398 ) the helixing strand being adhered mainly to the outside of the sheath ( 398 ).   
     
     
         37 . The rope ( 35 ) of  claim 36  wherein the sheath ( 398 ) is a braided sheath ( 398 ). 
     
     
         38 . The rope ( 35 ) of  claim 36  wherein the sheath ( 398 ) is a braided sheath ( 398 ) and the braided sheath ( 398 ) is formed of multiple strands ( 397 ). 
     
     
         39 . The rope ( 35 ) of  claim 38  wherein the strands ( 397 ) forming the braided sheath ( 398 ) have a flattened shape. 
     
     
         40 . The rope ( 35 ) of  claim 39  wherein the strands ( 397 ) having the flattened shape and forming the braided sheath ( 398 ) are formed of at least two sub strands ( 901 ). 
     
     
         41 . The rope ( 35 ) of  claim 39  wherein the helixing strand ( 36 ) is larger than strands ( 397 ) forming the braided sheath ( 398 ). 
     
     
         42 . The rope ( 35 ) of  claim 36  wherein the helixing strand ( 36 ) is adhered to the sheath ( 398 ) by means of a substance including polyurethane. 
     
     
         43 . The rope ( 35 ) of  claim 36  wherein the helixing strand ( 36 ) is situated mainly about the outside of the sheath ( 398 ) in such as fashion so as to form cambered sections that are capable of causing lift when the rope ( 35 ) is subjected to water flow when the rope ( 35 ) is in a position that corresponds to a position assumed by ropes forming pelagic mesh portions of pelagic trawls, 
     
     
         44 . A rope ( 35 ) formed by a process comprising steps of:
 a) situating upon a portion of a rope a bead of a substance being selected from a group consisting of:
 (i) a liquid substance; and 
 (ii) a semi-liquid substance. 
   
     
     
         45 . The process of  claim 44  wherein the process comprises the further step of passing the portion of a rope through an oven after the step of situating the bead. 
     
     
         46 . The process of  claim 44  wherein the process comprises the further step of using an injection head to deposit the substance upon the portion of a rope and selecting for the injection head nozzle a particular internal shape. 
     
     
         47 . The process of  claim 44  wherein the process comprises the further step of rotating the portion of a rope about its longitudinal axis while situating the bead. 
     
     
         48 . The process of  claim 44  wherein the process comprises the further step of taking up the portion of the rope on a take up spool so as to cause the portion of the rope to move in a direction parallel to its longitudinal axis while the bead is being situated onto additional portions of the rope. 
     
     
         49 . The process of  claim 44  wherein the process comprises the further step of forming a product strand ( 36 ) from the bead of the substance so as to result in cambered sections being apparent to an oncoming water flow vector at trawl mesh angles of attack thereby causing the formed rope to be a rope useful for forming portions of mesh for pelagic trawls. 
     
     
         50 . The process of  claim 44  wherein the process comprises the further step of selecting for the substance a substance including polyurethane. 
     
     
         51 . The process of  claim 44  wherein the process comprises the further step of forming the helixing strand ( 36 ) with a footed shape. 
     
     
         52 . The process of  claim 44  wherein the process comprises the further step of selecting for the substance a substance that when set shall have greater elasticity up to break point than the elasticity up to break point of the portion of a rope upon which the substance is being situated.