In an ordinary rope the strands are tucked into the inside, side by side at the joint, which is known as a “flat joint,” while in the case of a Langs rope the strands are crossed over each other at the joint, and this is known as a round joint.
Fig. 189.—Wire Rope Clamp.
Fig. 187 also illustrates a good way to place the spikes to work in strand 1′ and make a round joint. Each spike is driven through two strands, and, as shown, A is the leading spike which tucks the strand into its place, while B is used simply to combine with A in making the joint and forcing the strand 1′ into the centre of the rope. This is effected by placing the strand between the points of the two spikes and twisting them up in opposite directions. If the spike A is twisted up towards the worker, and spike B in the opposite direction, the obvious result is that the points of the two spikes come down, and simply crush strand 1′ into the centre of the rope. Then go on twisting spike A along the lay, and spike B can be pulled out as soon as the worker gets away from the joint.
Fig. 190.—Link Socket.
If these joints are closely and neatly made, each in its own way, the two strands forming the joint knit into each other’s lay or twist, and will be scarcely noticeable. The above operation must, of course, be repeated until all the ends are tucked into the inside of the rope. Tuck them in as numbered in Fig. 186, namely 1, 1′, 2, 2′, and so on. Be very particular in seeing that the ends exactly butt each other, or a lump results on the splice; if they do not butt, the outer strands will sink in. When all the ends are properly tucked, the long splice is practically completed, but it will improve matters to round off all joints and uneven places with a half-round top-swage, about the same diameter as the rope.
Fig. 191.—Side View of Socket.
