U.S. patent application number 11/459860 was filed with the patent office on 2007-02-22 for connection device of an end of a mooring line for a recreational craft and the like to a fastening element fixed onto a quay.
This patent application is currently assigned to DOUGLAS MARINE S.R.L.. Invention is credited to Marino Douglas Scotti.
Application Number | 20070039538 11/459860 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37668296 |
Filed Date | 2007-02-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070039538 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Scotti; Marino Douglas |
February 22, 2007 |
CONNECTION DEVICE OF AN END OF A MOORING LINE FOR A RECREATIONAL
CRAFT AND THE LIKE TO A FASTENING ELEMENT FIXED ONTO A QUAY
Abstract
A connection device of a loop of a mooring line for a
recreational craft and the like to a fastening element associated
with a mooring quay is described, of the type comprising at least
one pair of opposite ends intended to be joined together and firmly
attached to the loop of the mooring line. Advantageously, such a
connection device comprises a flexible core having a flat cross
section and fitted into a cover sheath, with which it substantially
constitutes a single body, the cover sheath extending along the
flexible core so as to expose the substantially loop-shaped
opposite ends.
Inventors: |
Scotti; Marino Douglas;
(Milano, IT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SEED INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW GROUP PLLC
701 FIFTH AVE
SUITE 5400
SEATTLE
WA
98104
US
|
Assignee: |
DOUGLAS MARINE S.R.L.
Via Tertulliano, 70
Milano
IT
|
Family ID: |
37668296 |
Appl. No.: |
11/459860 |
Filed: |
July 25, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
114/230.26 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B63B 21/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
114/230.26 |
International
Class: |
B63B 21/00 20060101
B63B021/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 26, 2005 |
IT |
MI2005A001445 |
Claims
1. A connection device for use at the end of a mooring line
comprising a loop for a recreational craft and the like to a
fastening element associated with a mooring quay, the device
comprising: at least one pair of opposite ends intended to be
joined together by means of said loop of said mooring line,
characterized in that it comprises a flexible core having a flat
cross section and fitted into a cover sheath, with which it
substantially constitutes a single body, said cover sheath
extending along said flexible core so as to expose said
substantially loop-shaped opposite ends.
2. A connection device according to claim 1, wherein said cover
sheath is made in anti-abrasion silicone or similar materials.
3. A connection device according to claim 1, wherein said flexible
core comprises a strip folded over to form a double layer with
opposite ends joined together to form a flattened loop.
4. A connection device according to claim 1, wherein said flexible
core is made of HT polyester.
5. A connection device according to claim 1, wherein said cover
sheath comprises a plurality of sheath segments, separately fitted
onto said flexible core in a substantially head-to-tail
arrangement.
6. A method for making a connection device for use in combination
with a loop of a mooring line for a recreational craft and the like
to a fastening element, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a strip of suitably resistant material; cutting a piece
of said strip according to a length substantially equal to double
the length of said connection device; joining together opposite
ends of said piece of strip to form a loop; flattening said loop;
and fitting a cover sheath onto said loop so as to expose
substantially loop-shaped opposite ends.
7. A method according to claim 6, wherein said step of fitting said
cover sheath comprises fitting a plurality of segments of sheath,
lined up in a head-to-tail arrangement and suitably close to one
another.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention refers to a connection device of an
end of a mooring line for a recreational craft and the like to a
fastening element fixed onto a quay.
[0003] In particular, it refers to a connection device suitable to
replace a connection chain for the fastening of a loop of a mooring
line to a fastening element, like a cleat of a quay.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] In the field of recreational crafts and the like, it is
known to use connection chains for mooring lines, schematically
represented in the attached FIGS. 1A and 1B. Generally, a mooring
line 1 of a boat, substantially a cable exhibiting a loop 1 a at
one end, is secured, through a connection chain 2 to a fastening
element, in particular fixed onto a quay 4.
[0006] Such a fastening element 3 is for example a cleat having a
typical flared column shape solidly fixed onto the quay 4, as
schematically illustrated in FIG. 1A. The fastening of the
connection chain 2 to such a cleat 3 secures the mooring of the
boat by way of the mooring line 1, which belays a corresponding
cleat on the deck of the boat.
[0007] In particular, the connection chain 2 has a pair of end
links that are brought closer together and fastened to the loop of
the mooring line 1 through a shackle or a spring hook 5 suitable
for clasping the end links and the loop 1 a of the mooring line 1.
In this way, the connection chain 2 makes a loop that can be
slipped over the cleat 3 directly or by way of a suitable fastening
ring 6 (FIG. 1B).
[0008] Such a fastening element 3 can also be a mooring ring, again
fixed onto the quay 4. In that case, the connection chain 2 is made
to pass through the mooring ring prior to using the spring hook 5
to close the end links of the chain on the loop 1a of the mooring
line 1.
[0009] Moreover, as a fastening element 3 one may use a catenary,
again fixed onto the quay 4. In particular, it is known that a
catenary is made up of a plurality of links having a sufficient
diameter to ensure the passage of the connection chain 2, which is
made to pass through one of them prior to using the spring hook 5
to close the end links of the chain on the loop la of the mooring
line 1.
[0010] During the mooring of the boat, such a connection chain 2 is
subject to strong torsion given by continuous frictions and rubbing
on the quay 4.
[0011] Indeed, the undertow, the wind or the currents prevent the
boat, even if moored, from maintaining a static position and pull
the connection chain 2 taut, in one direction and then in the
other, causing the rubbing against the quay 4 with consequent wear
and weakening of the connection chain 2 itself.
[0012] A connection chain 2 must therefore have satisfactory
characteristics of flexibility, of mechanical strength, especially
to pulling and tearing, and of resistance to wear.
[0013] Such a connection chain 2, however, is particularly heavy
and not very practical, both during sailing and during mooring, as
well as being susceptible to friction against the quay 4 and to
atmospheric conditions.
[0014] The technical problem underlying the present invention is
that of devising a connection device for a mooring line of a
recreational craft, having structural characteristics such that
enable to overcome the limitations and/or drawbacks that presently
affect the chains made according to the prior art.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The aforementioned technical problem is solved by a
connection device for a mooring line of a recreational craft and
the like, of the type comprising at least one flexible core having
substantially loop-shaped opposite ends, such flexible core having
a flat cross section and being fitted in a cover sheath, with which
it substantially constitutes a single body, said sheath being made
in silicone or similar materials and extending along said core so
as to expose loop-shaped opposite ends.
[0016] The characteristics and advantages of a connection device
according to the invention will become clearer from the following
description of preferred embodiments thereof, given for indicative
and not limiting purposes with reference to the attached
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1A schematically represents a connection chain made
according to the prior art, inserted between a loop la of the
mooring line and a quay fastening element;
[0018] FIG. 1B schematically represents a connection chain made
according to the prior art, inserted in a fastening element;
[0019] FIG. 2 schematically represents a connection device made
according to one embodiment of the invention;
[0020] FIG. 3 schematically represents another embodiment of the
connection device according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] With reference to FIG. 2 a connection device made according
to one particular embodiment of the present invention is
schematically represented and generally indicated by 10.
[0022] Elements that are structurally and functionally the same as
the connection chain described with reference to FIG. 1A or 1B
shall be given the same reference numerals for the sake of
simplicity of explanation.
[0023] In particular, the connection device 10 according to the
invention replaces the connection chain 2 and connects a mooring
line 1 to a fastening element 3, for example a cleat fixed onto a
quay 4.
[0024] Advantageously according to the invention, the connection
device 10 comprises a flexible core 11, exhibiting substantially
loop-shaped opposing ends 11a, 11b.
[0025] Moreover, the flexible core 11 is fitted into a cover sheath
12 made of silicone or similar materials.
[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the flexible core 11 of the
connection device 10 according to the present invention has a flat
cross section, like a belt. Moreover, the flexible core 11 and the
cover sheath 12 advantageously substantially constitute a single
body.
[0027] In particular, the cover sheath 12 is fitted over the
flexible core 11 and extended for at least a portion of such a
flexible core 11 so as to expose the substantially loop-shaped ends
11a, 11b.
[0028] In such a way it is possible, as seen with relation to the
prior art, to bring closer together such ends 11a and 11b and
fasten them to the loop 1a of the mooring line 1.
[0029] The connection device 10 made according to the invention is
thus able to replace the connection chains 2 used in the prior
art.
[0030] Preferably, the cover sheath 12 is positioned on the
flexible core 11 without the interposition of adhesive material,
the firm attachment with the flexible core 11 of the connection
device being ensured by the close contact of the cover sheath 12 on
it.
[0031] It should be noted that the cover sheath 12 is preferably
made from silicone, a material that is notoriously practically
unaffected by the corrosive action of atmospheric and marine agents
and, thanks to its particular self-lubricating characteristic, it
is particularly suitable for making a connection device 10 for
nautical use that is resistant to wear due to rubbing against the
quay 4.
[0032] Moreover, it is preferable to make the flexible core 11 in
HT polyester.
[0033] Advantageously, in accordance with another characteristic of
the present invention, the cover sheath 12 extends for almost the
entire length of the flexible core 11, exposing only the
loop-shaped ends 11a and 11b, thus protecting the flexible core 11
from the corrosive action of atmospheric and marine agents and from
wear linked to friction against the quay 4.
[0034] According to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, the flexible core 11 of the connection device 10
comprises a strip folded over to form a double layer with opposite
ends joined together to form a loop, advantageously flattened so as
to substantially make a core 11 having a flat cross section.
[0035] In such a case, the end portions 11a and 11b not coated by
the cover sheath 12, extending throughout for almost the entire
length of the double-layered flexible core 11, are already
loop-shaped.
[0036] It should be noted that the doubling in thickness of the
flexible core 11, by closing it in a loop, enables to obtain an
increase in mechanical strength of the connection device 10 as a
whole and the formation of the two loops at its ends in a single
operation.
[0037] Advantageously, in order to increase the flexibility of the
connection device 10, the cover sheath 12 can comprise a plurality
of segments 15 (FIG. 3), lined up in a head-to-tail arrangement,
each one of which is individually fitted over the flexible core
11.
[0038] More specifically, the distance between successive sheath
segments 15 is suitably determined, in particular reduced, so that
an edge of a quay 4 or other potential rubbing objects cannot come
into direct contact with the flexible core 11 of the connection
device 10, by wedging between two adjacent segments of sheath and
causing the connection device 10 to weaken.
[0039] It should be noted that the flexible core 11 of the
connection device 10 according to the present invention can
advantageously be made from special fabrics, already used in the
nautical field, to make the so-called boat lifting straps. Such
fabrics have, in particular, satisfactory characteristics of
flexibility, mechanical strength, especially to pulling and tear,
and of resistance to wear related to nautical usage.
[0040] The present invention also refers to a method for making the
connection device 10 as described, of singular simplicity and
safety.
[0041] Such a method comprises the steps of: [0042] providing a
strip of suitably resistant material; [0043] cutting a piece of
such a strip according to a length substantially equal to double
the length of the connection device 10 that is intended to be made;
[0044] joining together opposite ends of such a piece of band to
form a loop; [0045] flattening such a loop; and [0046] fitting a
cover sheath 12 onto such a loop so as to expose substantially
loop-shaped opposite ends 11a, 11b.
[0047] In another embodiment of such a method, the step of fitting
the cover sheath 12 comprises a plurality of steps of fitting on a
plurality of sheath segments 15, lined up in a head-to-tail
arrangement and suitably close to one another.
[0048] In conclusion, the connection device 10 according to the
present invention allows a recreational craft to be moored safely,
substantially reducing the weight of the connection device itself
and eliminating any wear deriving from its rubbing against the quay
4, at the edges or projections, also canceling out the corrosive
effect of atmospheric or marine agents that limit the lifetime of
conventional connection chains.
[0049] All of the above U.S. patents, U.S. patent application
publications, U.S. patent applications, foreign patents, foreign
patent applications and non-patent publications referred to in this
specification and/or listed in the Application Data Sheet, are
incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety.
[0050] From the foregoing it will be appreciated that, although
specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein
for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made
without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended
claims.
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