Segmented synthetic rope structures, systems, and methods

1. A rope structure comprising:

a plurality of link structures each defining first and second ends and a termination region, where

each link structure is formed of synthetic fibers,

each first end comprises at least first and second bend portions,

each second end comprises at least third and fourth bend portions, and

each link structure comprises a termination region, where the link structure is configured such that the termination region is arranged outside of the first, second, third, and fourth bend portions; whereby

the first end of a first one of the plurality of link structures engages the second end of a second one of the plurality of link structures such that the first and second bend portions of the first end of the first one of the plurality of link structures are

substantially parallel to each other, and

substantially perpendicular to the third and fourth bend portions of the second end of the second one of the plurality of link structures.

2. A rope structure as recited in claim 1 , in which each link structure is formed of a discrete link member.

3. A rope structure as recited in claim 1 , in which each discrete link structure comprises an endless rope structure.

4. A rope structure as recited in claim 1 , in which each link structure comprises:

a plurality of side portions extending between the first and second ends; wherein

the link structure is configured such that the termination region is arranged within the one of the plurality of side portions.

5. A rope structure as recited in claim 1 , in which each link structure comprises:

first, second, third, and fourth side portions extending between the first and second ends; wherein

the link structure is configured such that the termination region is arranged within the one of the first, second, third, and fourth side portions.

6. A rope structure as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a termination system comprising:

a sheave member; and

a coupler member; wherein

the sheave member engages two bend portions of at least one of the link structures;

the coupler member engages the sheave member; and

loads placed on the coupler member are transmitted to the two bend portions of the at least one link structure through the sheave member.

7. A rope structure as recited in claim 6 , in which the termination system further comprises a retainer member to secure the two bend portions in a desired orientation relative to the sheave member.

8. A rope structure as recited in claim 1 , further comprising at least one organizing member, where the at least one organizing member is secured to at least one of the link structures to maintain a relationship between the at least first and second bend portions of the at least one of the link structures during use of the rope structure.

9. A rope structure as recited in claim 1 , further comprising at least one jacket structure, where the at least one jacket structure covers at least a portion of at least one of the link structures.

10. A rope structure as recited in claim 1 , further comprising at least one jacket structure, where the at least one jacket structure covers at least a portion of at least two of the link structures.

11. A rope structure as recited in claim 1 , in which at least one link structure comprises a link member, the rope structure further comprising a coating applied to cover at least a portion of the link member.

12. A method of forming rope structure comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of link members formed of synthetic fibers;

configuring at least two of the link members to form first and second link structures each comprising

a termination region,

at least first and second bend portions defining a first end of the link structure, and

at least third and fourth bend portions defining a second end of the link structure;

engaging the first end of the first one of the plurality of link structures with the second end of the second one of the plurality of link structures such that the first and second bend portions of the first end of the first one of the plurality of link structures are

substantially parallel to each other, and

substantially perpendicular to the third and fourth bend portions of the second end of the second one of the plurality of link structures; and

arranging the termination region outside of the first, second, third, and fourth bend portions when the at least two of the link members are configured to form the first and second link structures.

13. A method as recited in claim 12 , further comprising the step of securing at least one organizing member to at least one of the link structures to maintain a relationship between the at least first and second bend portions of the at least one of the link structures during use of the rope structure.

14. A method as recited in claim 12 , further comprising the step of the arranging at least one jacket structure to cover at least a portion of at least one of the link structures.

15. A method as recited in claim 12 , further comprising the step of the applying a coating to cover at least a portion of the link member.

16. A rope structure comprising:

a plurality link members formed of synthetic fibers spliced at a termination region to form an endless rope structure, where each endless rope structure is folded to form a link structure defining first and second ends, where

each first end comprises at least first and second bend portions, and

each second end comprises at least third and fourth bend portions; whereby

the first end of a first one of the plurality of link structures engages the second end of a second one of the plurality of link structures such that the first and second bend portions of the first end of the first one of the plurality of link structures are substantially parallel to each other,

substantially perpendicular to the third and fourth bend portions of the second end of the second one of the plurality of link structures, and

the termination region is arranged outside of the first, second, third, and fourth bend portions.

17. A rope structure as recited in claim 16 , further comprising at least one organizing member, where the at least one organizing member is secured to at least one of the link structures to maintain a relationship between the at least first and second bend portions of the at least one of the link structures during use of the rope structure.

18. A rope structure as recited in claim 16 , further comprising at least one jacket structure, where the at least one jacket structure covers at least a portion of at least one of the link structures.

19. A rope structure as recited in claim 16 , further comprising a coating applied to cover at least a portion of the link member.

20. A rope structure comprising:

a plurality of link structures each defining first and second ends, where

each link structure is formed of synthetic fibers,

each first end comprises at least first and second bend portions,

each second end comprises at least third and fourth bend portions,

at least one link structure comprises a link member, and

a coating covers at least a portion of the link member; whereby

the first end of a first one of the plurality of link structures engages the second end of a second one of the plurality of link structures such that the first and second bend portions of the first end of the first one of the plurality of link structures are

substantially parallel to each other, and

substantially perpendicular to the third and fourth bend portions of the second end of the second one of the plurality of link structures.

21. A method of forming rope structure comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of link members formed of synthetic fibers;

configuring at least two of the link members to form first and second link structures each comprising

at least first and second bend portions defining a first end of the link structure, and

at least third and fourth bend portions defining a second end of the link structure;

engaging the first end of the first one of the plurality of link structures with the second end of the second one of the plurality of link structures such that the first and second bend portions of the first end of the first one of the plurality of link structures are

substantially parallel to each other, and

substantially perpendicular to the third and fourth bend portions of the second end of the second one of the plurality of link structures; and

applying a coating to cover at least a portion of the link member.