Line Handling Device

Abstract

A line holding and manipulating device including a pair of flexible arms which define arcs of the same radii and of less than 180.degree. length whereby a circle having a gap between oppositely disposed ends of the arms is transcribed. The arms are hollow in nature, are slotted along their entire length and are supported in such a manner as to cause the slots to face inwardly toward the center of the circle whereby a loop at the end of a line may be supported within the hollow flexible arms prior to engagement with an object.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the handling of lines and particularly to the manipulation of loops in lines so as to place such loops around objects. More specifically, this invention is directed to line carrying and placing apparatus. Accordingly, the general objects of the present invention are to provide novel and improved methods and apparatus of such character.

2. Description of the Prior Art

There are numerous activities which require the placement of a line, for example a rope, around an object. Examples of such activities and the prior art devices which have been employed therein may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 2,591,638 to Trafton, U.S. Pat. No. 2,811,217 to Palsson, U.S. Pat. No. 2,944,518 to Hawks and U.S. Pat. No. 3,072,429 to Stipan. As will be obvious from perusal of the above-mentioned Trafton, Hawks and Stipan patents, most prior art line handling devices have been characterized by a relatively high degree of mechanical complexity considering the nature of the task to be performed. Such mechanical complexity, of course, increases the cost and weight of the apparatus while simultaneously having a deleterious effect on reliability. At the other extreme of the prior art are devices such as that exemplified by the Palsson patent which, while rather simple in nature from a mechanical standpoint, required a great deal of attention and care during use in order to prevent disengagement of the line from the device at an undesired time.

While not limited thereto in its utility, the present invention has been found to be particularly well suited for use as an aid to the mooring of boats. There has been a long standing desire in the art to provide a line or rope holding device for use by the owners of small boats. To have such utility a rope holding device should be characterized by mechanical reliability, ease of use and moderate expense. With particular respect to facilitating use of the device, it is a requisite that the rope holder be capable of storing a loop in any position prior to the actual moment of use and that the rope holder device itself be of such nature that it will not take up undue space on board a boat when not in use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the above briefly discussed deficiencies and other disadvantages of the prior art by providing a novel and improved line carrying and placing apparatus. The apparatus of the present invention is characterized by ease of use, detachability from a handle for storage and comparatively low fabrication cost.

The foregoing characteristics result from and the abovestated objectives are accomplished by a line holding device comprising a pair of arcuate flexible arms. These flexible arms define arcs of the same radii and of less than 180.degree. whereby a circle having an opening or gap between the oppositely disposed ends of the arms is transcribed. The arms are hollow in nature and are slotted along their entire length. The arms are supported in such a manner as to cause the slots to face toward the center of the circle transcribed thereby. Accordingly, a loop at the end of a line may be inserted within the arms via the slots therein and the loop will thus bridge the gap between the arms. The supporting means for the arms includes a socket for receiving an elongated handle whereby the "circle" defined by the arms may be passed down over a piling or the like and the device thereafter withdrawn longitudinally thereby extracting the line through the slots in the arms and leaving the line loop in place on the piling. Withdrawal of the line holder in the longitudinal direction is permitted by the flexibility of the arms with the gap between the ends thereof enlarging as the device is withdrawn and thereafter closing to its normal dimension.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The present invention may be better understood and its numerous objects and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art by reference to the accompanying drawing wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements in the several figures and in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view, taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 1, showing additional detail of one of the flexible arms of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 taken along line 4--4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6--6 of FIG. 4;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are respectively perspective views which depict the free ends of the flexible arms of the FIG. 1 embodiment; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the FIG. 1 embodiment as it may be employed to facilitate the mooring of a vessel.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to the drawing, and as may best be seen from joint consideration of FIGS. 1 and 9, the disclosed embodiment of the present invention comprises a pair of flexible arms 10 and 12. Arms 10 and 12 will typically be comprised of rubber or other suitable rubber-like plastic material. Thus, by way of example, arms 10 and 12 may be formed from commercially available hoses which are cut to length and thereafter split as shown in FIG. 7. The slot in each of arms 10 and 12 formed during the splitting operation will, of course, be smaller in width than the inner diameter of the hose material which defines the arms. The length of arms 10 and 12 is selected so that, when installed on the support structure to be described below, each of arms 10 and 12 defines an arc of less than 180.degree.. Thus, with the apparatus assembled as shown in FIGS. 1 and 9, the arms 10 and 12 transcribe a circle having a gap in its circumference between the oppositely disposed free ends of the flexible arms. As may be seen from FIG. 9, the split or slot in arms 10 and 12 faces toward the center of the "circle" defined thereby.

The support structure for arms 10 and 12 may best be seen from a joint consideration of FIGS. 1-3. A metallic band 14, which may be comprised of a strip of spring steel, is inserted into arms 10 and 12 and fastened to each of the arms by a plurality of suitable appropriately spaced mechanical means as indicated at 16. Band 14 will be resilient and will be formed into an arc having a radius commensurate with the radius of the circle defined by arms 10 and 12. The length of the arc transcribed by band 14 will be approximately 180.degree. of the circumference of the "circle" of arms 10 and 12. Band 14 supports arms 10 and 12 internally thereof along a substantial portion of their length while simultaneously permitting movement of the free ends of arms 10 and 12 away from one another.

Partial external support for arms 10 and 12 is provided by brace members 18 and 20. Brace members 18 and 20 will typically also be comprised of metal and will be possessed of at least a limited degree of resiliency whereby members 18 and 20 will provide support for arms 10 and 12 but will not substantially impede movement of the free ends of arms 10 and 12 in the plane of the "circle" defined thereby. Brace members 18 and 20 are formed as shown so that the first ends thereof will assist in defining the "closed" shape of the "circle"; i.e., the gap between members 10 and 12. The first ends of brace members 18 and 20 are attached to arms 10 and 12 while the second end of each of the brace members is affixed to a common member as will be described below. To secure the first ends of brace members 18 and 20 to the line holder, suitable fastening means such as rivets 22 will pass through each of members 18 and 20, the adjacent one of arms 10 and 12 and the band of spring metal 14 as shown in FIG. 3.

The support structure for arms 10 and 12 also comprises a bracket member 24 which is attached, by any suitable means, to band 14. Bracket member 24 will typically be comprised of plastic and will be in the form of a T-shaped reducing socket having a flat top bar extending transversely from a tubular leg. The top bar of member 24 is provided with apertures which receive fasteners, such as fasteners 26, which pass through strip 14. The tubular leg of member 24 will, as shown in phantom, typically have a first threaded portion 28 of reduced diameter and a lower unthreaded portion 30 of increased diameter. Accordingly, in the manner to be described below, when in use either a threaded detachable handle 32 or any conveniently available unthreaded pole-like member of appropriate diameter may be employed with the invention.

The second end of each of brace members 18 and 20 is, as may best be seen from joint consideration of FIGS. 2 and 6, provided with a slot or cut-out whereby those members can function as hasp plates. A pair of arcuate pressure plate members 34 and 36 are positioned inwardly toward handle 32 from the second ends of brace members 18 and 20. Members 34 and 36 may be comprised of metal and will be stamped to define hasp staple portions which extend outwardly through the slots in brace members 18 and 20 as shown in FIG. 6. The band 38 of an adjustable spring clamp will pass between the exterior surfaces of members 18 and 20 and the interior of the staple portion of pressure plates 34 and 36, as also shown in FIG. 6, whereby the pressure plates and brace members are "locked" together. Manual adjustment of the spring clamp via its wing nut will permit the rope holding device to be securely affixed to the handle 32 after its insertion between the pressure plates 34 and 36 and into the socket of member 24. It will, of course, be understood that there are numerous other possibilities with respect to the manner of joining the pressure plates, brace members and spring clamp. Thus, by way of example, the pressure plates 34 and 36 may be made integral with the brace members 18 and 20 and the loops for receiving the band 38 of the spring clamp may be integral with or attached to members 18 and 24 such as, for example, by welding.

If deemed necessary or desirable a further split hose-like member 40 may be mounted on the band 38 of the spring clamp for providing additional support for a line as depicted in FIG. 9. The manner of mounting member 40 to band 38 may be as shown in FIG. 5 although obviously other possibilities are available.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the free ends of flexible arms 10 and 12 may be formed as shown to enhance the utility of the apparatus. Thus, the free end of arm member 10 may be formed into a point as shown so that arm 10 may be readily passed beneath a line which will thereupon fall into the center of the "circle" and may be lifted with the apparatus. Similarly, the end of arm 12 is formed into a V-shaped groove whereby a line may be supported in the groove and manipulated; the apparatus having to be turned 90.degree. clockwise or counterclockwise from the position shown in FIG. 9 in order to implement the added functions permitted by the shaped ends of arms 10 and 12.

With reference now to FIG. 9, a typical use of the disclosed embodiment of the present invention is depicted. In FIG. 9 a hawser 42 having a loop at the end thereof has been inserted in the apparatus in such a manner that the loop is fitted within and supported by the slotted flexible arms 10 and 12. Hawser 42 is also supported intermediate its length by split-member 40. Although various modes of operation are possible, it will be presumed that the rope holding device has been stored on board a boat with the hawser already installed thereon. When it is desired to moor the vessel a handle 32 is inserted between pressure pads 34 and 36 and into socket member 24. Secure attachment of the handle to the remainder of the apparatus is achieved by tightening the spring clamp and, if appropriate, by turning the handle to engage the threaded end thereof with the internal threads in member 24. Employing the handle, the rope holder is extended outwardly and then brought down over the piling to which it is desired to moor the boat. The rope holder is thereupon withdrawn longitudinally with arms 10 and 12 flexing outwardly as they pass about the piling. As the rope holder is withdrawn the hawser 42 will be pulled out of the slots in arms 10 and 12 and the looped end thereof will remain about the piling. Should it later be desired to disengage the hawser from the piling the loop may be loosened and the hawser raised using the apparatus of the present invention and particularly by taking advantage of the shaped ends of flexible arms 10 and 12.

While a preferred embodiment has been shown and described, various substitutions and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the present invention has been described by way of illustration and not limitation.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for releasably supporting a loop to be engaged with an object comprising:

a pair of arcuate flexible arms, said arms defining arcs of substantially the same radii and of less than 180.degree. length, said arms being of tubular construction and being slotted along their entire lengths;

means for supporting said arms in opposed relationship with the slots therein facing toward the center of a discontinuous circle thus defined by said arms whereby a loop may be releasably held in said arms, said supporting means including means for imparting a limited degree of rigidity to said arms;

removable handle means; and

socket means for receiving said handle means, said socket means extending from said supporting means.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said supporting means comprises:

means for supporting said flexible arm means internally thereof along a portion of their length; and

means externally engaging each of said arm means intermediate its length, said external engaging means also engaging said handle means.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said external engaging means comprises:

a pair of elongated braces;

means connecting first ends of said braces to respective of said arms and to the internal supporting means therein; and

means for detachably connecting the second ends of said braces to said handle means.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the loop is formed at the end of a flexible line and wherein said apparatus further comprises:

means for supporting the line at a point displaced from the loop.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said line supporting means comprises:

slotted tubular means mounted on said means for detachable connecting said braces to said handle means.

6. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said flexible arms and the internal supporting means therefor define a circle having a discontinuity disposed opposite to said socket means and wherein at least one of the facing ends of said arms at the opposite sides of said discontinuity forms a point.

7. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said flexible arms and the internal supporting means therefor define a circle having a discontinuity disposed opposite to said socket means and wherein at least one of the facing ends of said arms at the opposite sides of said discontinuity forms a groove.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the loop is formed at the end of a flexible line and wherein said apparatus further comprises:

means for supporting the line at a point displaced from the loop.