Samson Awarded Patent for Reduced Recoil Rope
Ferndale, WA - December 8, 2006 - Samson, the worldwide leader in performance cordage, (www.samsonrope.com) has been awarded a patent (US #7127878) for the construction and performance of its reduced recoil rope. Dangerous “snap back,” inherent to traditionally designed ropes, can cause severe injury to rope handlers and equipment in ship mooring operations. Samson’s reduced recoil ropes are designed to absorb the energy released by the rope when it breaks, thus reducing the tendency of the rope to recoil. Samson’s Mooring Defender is a 12-strand high-modulus fiber mooring line based on this unique patented technology.
Like Samson's other high performance mooring ropes, Mooring Defender is high in strength, has superior abrasion resistance, and low elongation. When Mooring Defender is subjected to excessive tension loads, the lower elongating fibers will break first, transferring the load to the remaining specially designed control fibers. This creates an indication of rope failure before the rope becomes completely separated. In a conventional rope, the rope will break without warning causing unpredictable and potentially dangerous movements of the broken ends.
Dr. Rafael Chou, Vice President of Research and Development and contributor to the patent application said, “The need existed for improved ropes that, when subjected to excessive tension loads, failed in a controlled manner. The construction of Mooring Defender fills this key safety need. The rope is prevented from snapping back, thus minimizing injury to people or equipment. With this technology in place, we now have the ability to develop products with reduced recoil properties for other applications.”
About Samson:
For well over 100 years, Samson has been recognized as a worldwide leader in the development and manufacture of high performance ropes. Among its many innovations, Samson invented the double braid and pioneered the first high modulus polyethylene fiber ropes. Today Samson engineers continue to pioneer the use of new fiber technology and the development of innovative coatings and constructions to produce ropes with unprecedented performance characteristics. Samson’s research and development team is meeting an ever expanding market need for products with exceptional performance in critical applications. Samson is part of Wind River Holdings™ portfolio of operating companies. For more information about Wind River Holdings™ visit www.windriverholdings.com.
To find out more about Samson call 360.384.4669 or visit our website: www.samsonrope.com