U.S. patent application number 12/642199 was filed with the patent office on 2011-06-23 for adjustable docking line.
Invention is credited to DEE W. HENCY, HAROLD M. KORELL.
Application Number | 20110146558 12/642199 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44149280 |
Filed Date | 2011-06-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110146558 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KORELL; HAROLD M. ; et
al. |
June 23, 2011 |
ADJUSTABLE DOCKING LINE
Abstract
An adjustable line for securing a watercraft to a structure
having a closed cleating system may include a line body having
first and second ends, a coupling system having a first portion and
a second portion, each adapted to releaseably couple to one
another, wherein the first portion is coupled to the first end and
the second portion is disposed between the first and second ends a
predetermined distance from the first end, and wherein the
predetermined distance is sufficient to form a docking loop when
the first and second portions are coupled to one another. A method
may include maneuvering a watercraft alongside the structure,
securing the second end of the line to the watercraft, threading
the first end through an opening in the closed cleating system, and
coupling the first and second portions to one another.
Inventors: |
KORELL; HAROLD M.; (HOUSTON,
TX) ; HENCY; DEE W.; (THE WOODLANDS, TX) |
Family ID: |
44149280 |
Appl. No.: |
12/642199 |
Filed: |
December 18, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
114/230.26 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B63B 21/00 20130101;
B63B 21/54 20130101; B63B 2021/203 20130101; D07B 5/005
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
114/230.26 |
International
Class: |
B63B 21/20 20060101
B63B021/20; B63B 21/00 20060101 B63B021/00; B63B 21/04 20060101
B63B021/04 |
Claims
1. An adjustable line for releaseably securing a watercraft to a
structure having a closed cleat system, the adjustable line
comprising: a line body having a first terminal end and a second
terminal end; a coupling system having a first portion and a second
portion, each portion adapted to releaseably couple to one another,
wherein the first portion is coupled to the first terminal end and
the second portion is disposed between the first and second
terminal ends a predetermined distance from the first terminal end;
and wherein the predetermined distance is sufficient to form a
docking loop cooperating with the closed cleat system when the
first and second portions are coupled to one another.
2. The line of claim 1, wherein the second portion is closer to the
first terminal end than to the second terminal end.
3. The line of claim 1, wherein the second portion further
comprises a plurality of receptacles, each receptacle being spaced
a different predetermined distance from the first terminal end, and
wherein the first portion comprises a coupling device configured to
releaseably couple to each of the plurality of receptacles.
4. The line of claim 3, wherein the coupling device is a
carabiner.
5. The line of claim 4, wherein the carabiner has a spring-loaded
latch.
6. The line of claim 3, wherein at least one of the plurality of
receptacles is a ring.
7. The line of claim 3, wherein at least one of the plurality of
receptacles is a loop formed integrally in the docking line
body.
8. The line of claim 1, wherein the second portion further
comprises a plurality of coupling devices, each coupling device
being spaced a different predetermined distance from the first
terminal end, and wherein the first portion comprises a receptacle
configured to releaseably couple to each of the plurality of
coupling devices.
9. The line of claim 1, wherein the line body further comprises a
main line portion and a receptacle line portion and a pair of
movable clamps adapted to removably couple the main line portion
and the receptacle line portion together thereby adjustably forming
the second portion of the coupling system between the pair of
clamps.
10. The line of claim 1, wherein the second portion is the line
body and the first portion is a releasable coupling device
configured to securely couple to the line body.
11. The line of claim 10, wherein the releasable coupling is
configured to couple to the line body at predetermined
locations.
12. The line of claim 10, wherein the second portion comprises one
or more receptacles coupled to the docking line body.
13. A method of securing a watercraft to a dock having a closed
cleating system, comprising: maneuvering the watercraft alongside
the dock; providing a docking line having a docking line body with
a first terminal end and a second terminal end, a coupling system
having a first portion and a second portion, each portion adapted
to releaseably couple to one another, wherein the first portion is
coupled to the first terminal end and the second portion is
disposed between the first and second terminal ends a predetermined
distance from the first terminal end; securing the second terminal
end of the docking line to the watercraft; threading the first
terminal end of the docking line through an opening in the closed
cleating system; and coupling the first and second portions of the
coupling system to one another thereby securing the watercraft to
the dock.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein coupling comprises removably
coupling a coupling device and a receptacle to one another.
15. The method of claim 13, further comprising removably coupling a
coupling device to the docking line body.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not Applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable.
REFERENCE TO APPENDIX
[0003] Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] 1. Field of the Invention
[0005] The inventions disclosed and taught herein relate generally
to lines used for securing watercraft; and more specifically relate
to adjustable docking lines for dock rails and other closed
cleating systems.
[0006] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 3,540,083 is entitled "Quick-Release Cable
Loop Assembly" and purports to disclose, "A quick-release cable
loop assembly is described for mooring a boat to a dock. The
assembly includes a throat block for releaseably interconnecting a
ferruled end of a cable with a segment of the cable to form a loop
there between. The throat blocks have a C-shaped socket for
receiving the ferruled end. The socket has flexible ends that may
be flexed inward to form a cylindrical enclosure for the ferruled
end."
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 6,390,009 B2 is entitled "Adjustable Shock
Absorbing Mooring and Utility Line" and purports to disclose "A
shock-absorbing and adjustable-length mooring and utility securing
line for mooring a boat to a dock in a marine environment utilizes
a hollow, flexible tubing constructed of substantially inelastic
fabric material and a bungee cord disposed within the tubing. The
hollow tubing has a central section disposed between the opposite
ends of the tubing, and the fabric material, the central section,
is movable lengthwise between a gathered condition and a
fully-stretched condition to accommodate a lengthening of the line
as the opposite end portions of the central section are moved
farther apart from a condition at which the central section is in a
gathered condition and to accommodate a shortening of the line as
the opposite end portions of the central section are moved closer
together from a condition at which the central section is in a
fully-stretched condition. The bungee cord is attached to the
central section of the tubing for biasing the end portions of the
central section toward one another to thereby bias the current
section from the fully-stretched condition toward the gathered
condition."
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 6,925,951 B1 is entitled "Boat Docking Rope
Cuffs" and purports to disclose "A rope-fastening device used in
docking a boat or other watercraft. The device comprises two
adjustable locking rings, both of which can close around a rope or
mooring line. Each locking ring has a plurality of gripping members
on the inner surface to prevent the rope or mooring line from
slipping through the locking ring."
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] As a brief summary of one aspect of the invention disclosed
herein, and without limiting the appended claims, an adjustable
line for securing a watercraft to a structure having a closed cleat
system may comprise a line body having a first end and a second
end, a coupling system having a first portion and a second portion,
each adapted to releaseably couple to one another, wherein the
first portion may be coupled to the first end and the second
portion may be disposed between the first and second ends a
predetermined distance from the first end, and wherein the
predetermined distance is sufficient to form a docking loop when
the first and second portions are coupled to one another.
[0011] In brief summary, another aspect of the present invention
comprises a method of securing a watercraft to a dock having a dock
rail or closed cleat system including maneuvering the watercraft
alongside the dock, providing a dock line having a first end and a
second end, a coupling system having a first portion and a second
portion adapted to releaseably couple to one another, wherein the
first portion is coupled to the first end and the second portion is
disposed between the first and second ends a predetermined distance
from the first end, securing the second end of the dock line to the
watercraft, threading the first end of the docking line through an
opening in the dock rail or closed cleat system, and coupling the
first and second portions of the coupling system to one another
thereby securing the watercraft to the dock.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates one of many possible embodiments of an
adjustable docking line utilizing certain aspects of the present
invention.
[0013] FIG. 2A illustrates another of the many possible embodiments
of an adjustable docking line utilizing certain aspects of the
present invention.
[0014] FIG. 2B illustrates yet another embodiment of an adjustable
docking line utilizing certain aspects of the present
invention.
[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of an adjustable
docking line utilizing certain aspects of the present
invention.
[0016] FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of an adjustable
docking line utilizing certain aspects of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] The Figures described above and the written description of
specific structures and functions below are not presented to limit
the scope of what we have invented or the scope of the appended
claims. Rather, the Figures and written description are provided to
teach any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention
for which patent protection is sought.
[0018] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that not all
features of a commercial embodiment of the inventions are described
or shown for the sake of clarity and understanding. Persons of
skill in this art will also appreciate that the development of an
actual commercial embodiment incorporating aspects of the present
inventions will require numerous implementation-specific decisions
to achieve the developer's ultimate goal for the commercial
embodiment. Such implementation-specific decisions may include, and
likely are not limited to, compliance with system-related,
business-related, government-related and other constraints, which
may vary by specific implementation, location, and from time to
time. While a developer's efforts might be complex and
time-consuming in an absolute sense, such efforts would be,
nevertheless, a routine undertaking for those of skill in this art
having benefit of this disclosure. It must be understood that the
inventions disclosed and taught herein are susceptible to numerous
and various modifications and alternative forms. Lastly, the use of
a singular term, such as, but not limited to, "a," is not intended
as limiting of the number of items. Also, the use of relational
terms, such as, but not limited to, "top," "bottom," "left,"
"right," "upper," "lower," "down," "up," "side," and the like are
used in the written description for clarity in specific reference
to the Figures and are not intended to limit the scope of the
invention or the appended claims. The terms "couple," "coupled,"
"coupling," "coupler," and like terms are used broadly herein and
can include any method or device for securing, binding, bonding,
fastening, attaching, joining, inserting therein, forming thereon,
or therein, communicating, or otherwise associating, for example,
mechanically, magnetically, electrically, chemically, operably,
directly or indirectly with intermediate elements, one or more
pieces of members together and can further include without
limitation integrally forming one functional member with another in
a unity fashion. The coupling can occur in any direction or
directions, including rotationally.
[0019] In general terms, we have invented an adjustable docking
line, or dock line, adapted for use when securing a watercraft to a
dock or other structure having a closed cleating system, such as,
for example, a dock rail, in which the docking line has to be
threaded through an opening in the closed cleating system. The
docking line may include a coupling system having two or more
portions configured to be removably coupled to one another, thereby
forming a loop through or about the closed cleating system. The
adjustable docking line may comprise a line body having a first end
and a second end. Attached to one of the ends may be a coupling
device such as a hook, carabiner, or other latching component,
which may, but need not, be removable. Preferably, the coupling
device may be fabricated from a metal or other sufficiently strong
material and also, preferably, the coupling device may be
self-latching, such as, for example, having a closure portion that
is spring-loaded or otherwise biased to a closed or latched
position.
[0020] Coupled to the docking line along its length, such as
adjacent or near the end having the coupling device, may be one or
more receptacles each of which is configured to cooperate with the
coupling device to form a secure docking loop there between. In at
least one embodiment, the receptacles may be formed from the same
material as the coupling device and may be, for example, metal
rings of circular or other shape that are woven, imbedded into, or
otherwise coupled to the line body, including being formed
integrally therewith, in whole or in part. The terms "receptacle"
and "ring" are used broadly herein and include, without limitation,
any closed shape, or substantially closed shape, formed from any
material or combination of materials, adapted to cooperate with a
coupling device as described herein. For example, these terms
include structure coupled to the docking line, or an integral
portion of the docking line, separately or in combination. A ring
may be circular, triangular, square, rectangular, or any other
shape, such as oval. As another example, a ring may be formed from
a metal rod bent into a closed shape, which may, but need not,
include coupling the ends to one another, such as by welding.
Alternatively, for example, a ring may include an integral loop
formed in a portion of the docking line body, and may, but need
not, include a guard, such as a plastic or metal grommet or
thimble, coupled therein.
[0021] It will be appreciated that the second end of the docking
line may be secured to the watercraft by any conventional means,
such as by a loop and open deck cleat, or other means, permanently
or removably. The first end of the docking line with (or without)
the coupling device fastened thereto may be threaded through the
opening in the dock rail or other closed cleating system and looped
back toward one of the receptacles on the line body. By securing
the first end of the docking line to one of the receptacles with
the coupling device, the watercraft may thereby be secured in an
adjustable fashion to a dock or other structure. While the
adjustable docking line of the present invention has been described
with the coupling device at one end of the docking line,
alternatively, it will be appreciated that a receptacle can be
coupled at an end of the docking line and coupling devices can be
interspersed along the length of the docking line at predetermined
distances, as required by a particular application.
[0022] Turning now to FIGS. 1-2B, one or more of the many possible
embodiments incorporating aspects of the present invention will be
described in detail and in conjunction with one another. FIG. 1
illustrates a watercraft 100 secured by an adjustable docking line
102 to a structure 104, here, a boat dock. For all purposes of this
disclosure, watercraft refers to all types of water-born or
water-going vessels, whether motorized or not, and specifically
includes, without limitation, power boats, power yachts and sailing
vessels.
[0023] The docking line 102 is useful for securing watercraft to
structures 104 or docks containing a closed cleating system, such
as, for example, a dock rail. By closed cleating system, it is
meant a system, method, or device in which the docking line must be
threaded through a closed opening, rather than merely being lassoed
by a loop in the docking line. For contradistinction, a vertical
piling (not shown) is not considered, for purposes of this
disclosure, to be a closed cleating system because the docking line
need only be lassoed about the pilling, rather than threaded
through an opening. It will be appreciated, however, that the
docking line 102 illustrated in FIGS. 1-2B may also be used with
vertical pilings or open cleat systems. In FIG. 1, for illustrative
purposes, one of many types of closed cleating systems 106 is shown
in the form of a dock rail.
[0024] Turning now to a more specific description of the docking
line 102, the docking line 102 comprises a second end 108, which
may include a conventional loop, may be just a free end, or may
otherwise be adapted to couple to a watercraft. In FIG. 1, the
second end 108 of docking line 102 is shown secured to a deck cleat
110 on watercraft 100. Opposite the second end 108 is a first end
112 to which a coupling device 114 may be coupled. The coupling
device 114 may preferably be a spring-loaded, hook-type, device,
such as, but not limited to, a carabiner. Coupling device 114 may,
but need not, be self-latching. Coupling device 114 may preferably
be fabricated from a material that is sufficiently strong to react
the docking loads from the watercraft and sufficiently
corrosion-resistant for use in a marine environment. For example,
and without limitation, in one of many possible embodiments of the
present invention, the coupling device 114 may be made from
marine-grade stainless steel, an aluminum or brass alloy, a
composite material, or another corrosion-resistant material. In
FIG. 1, for illustrative purposes, the coupling device 114 is shown
to be secured to the first end 112 of docking line 102 through an
eye or loop 116, which may be formed in or attached to the first
end 112 in any known manner. However, it will be understood that
coupling device 114 may be coupled to first end 112 in any manner
required by a particular application, removably or otherwise, such
as by tying, fastening with fasteners, forming integrally
therewith, or other means, in whole or in part.
[0025] A first receptacle 118 may be coupled to docking line 102 at
a predetermined or selected distance from first end 112, which may
include being near or adjacent to first end 112. In a preferred
embodiment, the first receptacle 118 may be fabricated from the
same material as the coupling device 114, and may comprise a
circular, oval, or other shaped closed ring. The receptacle 118 may
be coupled to the docking line 102 by weaving the receptacle 118
within the strands of the rope (as illustrated in FIG. 1) or by any
other conventional means of coupling such hardware to docking line
102.
[0026] Also shown in FIG. 1 is second receptacle 120. Second
receptacle 120 may be spaced a second predetermined or selected
distance from terminal end 112 and from the first receptacle 118.
The second receptacle 120 may be the same as or different than the
first receptacle 118. The second receptacle 120 is shown to be
coupled to the docking line 102 by weaving or interlacing the
receptacle itself with the line body, but may be coupled in any
manner required by a particular application.
[0027] An alternative embodiment of the receptacles 118, 120 may
take the form of an indented rod, such as receptacle 124. It will
be appreciated that an indented rod receptacle 124 may be
interlaced or woven into the docking line 102 at one or more
desired locations. It will also be appreciated that numerous other
receptacle-type structures may be used with the adjustable docking
line 102.
[0028] As shown in FIG. 2A, for example, receptacles 118, 120, 124
may include an integral loop formed in a portion of the docking
line body, and may, but need not, include a guard 126, such as a
plastic or metal grommet, coupled therein, for example, to prevent
wear. Each receptacle on the docking line 102 may be the same, but
need not be, and alternatively one or more receptacles may be
different, as required by a particular application. Each receptacle
may be placed at any distance from the end of the docking line 102,
or from an adjacent receptacle, and a particular embodiment of the
docking line 102 may have any number of receptacles (or coupling
devices) as desired or required.
[0029] Once the first end 112 has been threaded through an opening
in the dock rail 106, the first end 112 may be looped back toward
any of the one or more receptacles 118, 120, 124 and coupled
thereto to secure the watercraft 100 to the dock 104. While only
three receptacles 118, 120, 124 have been shown in FIG. 1, it will
be appreciated that any number of receptacles, and preferably two
or more receptacles, may be coupled to docking line 102, depending
on the length of the docking line, the amount of adjustability
required, or other factors, such as the range of loop sizes
required by a particular application.
[0030] While the coupling device 114 is shown fastened to the
terminal first end 112 of the docking line 102 and the receptacles
118, 120, 124 are coupled to the body of the docking line 102, the
orientation of these components can be switched without departing
from the spirit of the invention disclosed herein. Namely, a
receptacle 118, such as a ring, may be fastened to the first end
112 of the docking line 102 and a plurality of coupling devices 114
may be coupled to the body of the docking line 102 at various
predetermined locations along its length (see FIG. 2B). It will
also be appreciated that the docking line 102 of the present
invention may have the second end 108 secured to the dock 104 in
any conventional fashion and the first, adjustable end of the
docking line 102 may be secured to the watercraft 100, such as to
cleat 108.
[0031] Turning now to FIGS. 3 and 4, one or more further
embodiments incorporating aspects of the present invention will be
described in detail. FIG. 3 illustrates one of many embodiments of
an adjustable docking line 300 with releasable line clamps 306 and
utilizing certain aspects of the present invention. Docking line
300 may include two or more line portions, such as a main portion
302 and one or more receptacle portions 304, which may, but need
not, have the same length. Main portion 302 and receptacle portion
304 may be generally parallel to one another and may, but need not,
be of the same form, such as having the same diameter or being made
from the same material. Docking line 300 may include two or more
clamps 306, or pairs of clamps, such as releasable clamps, for
securely coupling main portion 302 and receptacle portion 304
together in one or more positions along the length of main portion
302 to form receptacles 308.
[0032] For example, a pair of clamps 306 may be coupled to docking
line 300 a predetermined or selected distance from one another to
form a receptacle 308 (e.g., a loop) there between. The length of
one portion of docking line 300, such as the receptacle portion
304, between two clamps 306 may, but need not, be greater than the
other portion. In this manner, a receptacle 308 of any size
required by a particular application may be formed between two
particular clamps 306 by adjusting the length of one or more
portions of docking line 300 there between.
[0033] While the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 shows two receptacles
308 for illustrative purposes, this need not be the case and
docking line 300 may only include a single pair of movable clamps
306 that can be selectively disposed anywhere along the length of
docking line 300 to form a receptacle required by a particular
application. The position of each clamp 306, and thus of a
receptacle 308, on line 300 may preferably be quickly and easily
adjustable, for example, by uncoupling the clamp from the line, in
whole or in part, moving the clamp to another position, and
re-coupling the clamp to the line. Each clamp 306 may preferably be
at least partially movable without being entirely uncoupled from
line 300, for example, to prevent accidental loss of the clamp
(e.g., dropping into the water) during use.
[0034] FIG. 4 illustrates another of the many possible embodiments
of an adjustable docking line. Docking line 400 may include a line
body 402 and a releasable gripping device 410 coupled to one end
404. Gripping device 410 may be selectively coupled at any position
or location on line body 402 thereby forming a loop as required by
a particular application. Gripping device 410 may include structure
or mechanisms, such as a cam, grip, stop, or teeth, configured to
allow the device 410 releaseably grip the main portion 402 to form
the docking loop. Coupling device 410 may, but need not, be
configured to allow line body 402 to slide there through in only
one direction.
[0035] Other and further embodiments utilizing one or more aspects
of the inventions described above can be devised without departing
from the spirit of Applicant's invention. The order of steps can
occur in a variety of sequences unless otherwise specifically
limited. The various steps described herein can be combined with
other steps, interlineated with the stated steps, and/or split into
multiple steps. Similarly, elements have been described
functionally and can be embodied as separate components or can be
combined into components having multiple functions.
[0036] The invention has been described in the context of preferred
and other embodiments and not every embodiment of the invention has
been described. Obvious modifications and alterations to the
described embodiments are available to those of ordinary skill in
the art. The disclosed and undisclosed embodiments are not intended
to limit or restrict the scope or applicability of the invention
conceived of by us, but rather, in conformity with the patent laws,
we intend to fully protect all such modifications and improvements
that come within the scope or range of equivalent of the following
claims.
* * * * *