Mooring device

Abstract

A mooring device including an elongated pole member, an arm member having an attached end pivotally connected to the pole member near one end thereof and a free end spaced from the attached end wherein the arm member is movable between a stowed position adjacent and generally parallel to the pole member and an extended position wherein the free end is disposed laterally from the pole member, and rope supporting brackets on the arm member and the pole member for temporarily supporting a rope.

Description

This invention relates to a mooring device for aiding boatmen in securing a line from their boat to a piling, mooring cleat, or the like.

Devices of the general type referred to are particularly helpful to boatmen since it is oftentimes difficult to position the mooring lines of a boat around pilings, cleats, or other suitable mooring objects. This is particularly so in rough seas where the ability of even the most accurate boatman is taxed.

The most common method of accomplishing the task of mooring a vessel is by throwing the looped end of the mooring line toward the intended mooring object. This method, more often than not, ends in failure since the target is missed thus requiring the boatman to make one or more additional throwing attempts. Under some circumstances, such as, when seas are rough, it is necessary to effect securement of the vessel as quickly as possible to prevent damage from striking against the dock or other objects. It is desirable, therefore, to have a more dependable method of getting the mooring line about a moving object.

Accordingly, a number of pole-like devices have been suggested which permit the boatman to reach out with the mooring line toward the intended mooring object. A device of this general type is shown in the U.S. Patent to Palsson 2,811,127 issued October 29, 1957. Devices of this sort greatly increase the ability of the boatman to quickly and positively secure his vessel.

Although the desirability of carrying a mooring device of the type suggested on board the vessel is generally conceded, it may be impractical to do so. As is well known, due to limited storage space on board, it is oftentimes necessary for the boatman to forego the use of various pieces of equipment which he would otherwise carry with him. Because of such space limitations, it is highly desirable, if not absolutely required, that any mooring device be readily suited for convenient storage. Many of the prior art devices fail in this aspect and are, therefore, impractical.

Accordingly, the instant invention provides a mooring device which is capable of supporting the looped end of a mooring rope in a generally horizontal and open condition to enable positive and accurate positioning of the looped end over a piling, mooring cleat, or the like. Moreover, the mooring device is capable of collapsing into a substantially straight or continuous member which may be easily stored in an out-of-the way location. In accordance with the foregoing, the instant invention provides a mooring device which includes an elongated pole member and an arm member having an attached end pivotally connected to the pole member near one end thereof and a free end spaced from the attached end wherein the arm member is movable between a stowed position adjacent and generally parallel to the pole member and an extended position wherein the free end is disposed laterally from the pole member. The mooring device also includes rope supporting means on the arm member and the pole member for temporarily supporting a rope.

Other advantages of the present invention will be readly appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is plan view of a mooring device constructed in accordance with the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view similiar to FIG. 1 showing the relative position of members in the operative condition;

FIG. 3 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken generally along line 3--3 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken generally along line 4--4 of FIG. l.

Referring to the drawings, a mooring device constructed in accordance with the instant invention is generally shown at 10.

The mooring device 10 includes an elongated pole member 12. In order to accomplish the intended function of the instant invention, the elongated pole member 12 is provided with an arm member 28 which, as will be hereinafter described, coacts with the pole member to hold the loop of a mooring line in an open condition. The arm member 28 includes an attached end 30 which is pivotally connected to the pole member 12 near the outer or functional end thereof and a free end 31 which is spaced from the attached end 30. The pivotal connection between the arm member 28 and the pole member 12 may be accomplished in any suitable manner. Preferably, a pivot pin 32 is provided which extends through the arm member 28 and the pole member 12. As shown in FIG. 4, the pivot pin 32 includes a head 34 at one end and a threaded portion 36 at the other end for receiving a threaded fastener 38. The pivot pin 32 is inserted through aligned holes in the arm member 28 and pole member 12 to establish the pivotal connection.

Since the arm member 28 is pivotally connected to the pole member 12, it may be moved between an extended position, as shown in FIG. 2, and a retracted or stowed position, as shown in FIG. 1. In the stowed position, the arm member is in close proximity to the pole member 12 so that the mooring device 10 is substantially straight or continuous. In other words, there are no major protrusions which tend to make storage difficult. Moreover, it is pointed out that when the arm member 28 is in the stowed position, the mooring device 10 may be used as a boat hook or the like.

When it is desirable to employ the mooring device 10 for its intended purpose, the free end 31 of the arm member 28 is swung away from the pole member 12 by pivoting the arm member 28 from the stowed position toward the extended position as will be more clearly described hereinafter.

In order to increase the compactness of the mooring device 10 in the stowed condition, the arm member 28 is formed so that it has a U-shaped configuration when viewed in transverse cross-section. That is, the arm member 28 includes an upper wall 42, a lower wall 44, and a connecting wall 46. Thus, an elongated cavity or recess is formed in the arm member 28. The open side of the elongated cavity or recess faces the pole member 12 such that a portion of the pole member 12 is received in nesting relation with the arm member 28 when in the stowed position as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 3.

The mooring device 10 further includes rope supporting means 48 on the arm member 28 and the pole member 12 for temporarily supporting a rope 50. The rope supporting means 48 comprise a plurality of U-shaped brackets which are secured to the respective members by suitable fasteners 52 or, in the case of the rope supporting means 48 at the attached end 30 of the arm member 28, The pivot pin 32 is employed to secure the U-shaped bracket in place. Preferably, three U-shaped rope supporting means 48 are employed. One of the U-shaped brackets 48 is mounted adjacent the end of the pole member 12, another U-shaped bracket 48 is mounted adjacent the free end 31 of the arm member 28 while, as suggested above, another U-shaped bracket 48 is mounted at the attached end 30 of the arm member 28.

In order to increase the utility of the mooring device 10, a standard boat hook 14 may be attached to one end of the pole member 12. This permits the use of the mooring device for other purposes when the arm member 28 is in the stowed position. The boat hook 14 includes a hooked portion 16 for hooking and manipulating a line or other objects and also includes a straight portion 18 for engaging a dock or vessel. A handle portion 20 is provided at the opposite end of the pole member 12 from boat hook 14. The handle portion 20 of course is designed to be gripped by the boatman when using the mooring device 10.

The pole member 12 may be of one length, or may be capable of extension to provide a number of lengths. As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of telescopically related sections 22 and 24 are provided for increasing the length of the pole member 12. The telescopic portions 22 and 24 include locking devices 26 of any suitable design for locking the telescopic portions between the retracted or extended positions. As an alternate method of extending the length of the pole member 12, separate pole member extension sections (not shown) may be provided. In other words, the pole member 12 may be provided with one or more detachable extension members which may be attached to the end of the pole member 12 when desired.

Normally, the arm member 28 is disposed in a stowed position adjacent and generally parallel to the pole member 12, as shown in FIG. 1. When it is desirable to secure the boat to a stationary object, such as the piling 54 shown in FIG. 2, the arm member 28 is pivoted to an extended position wherein the free end 31 is disposed laterally from the pole member 12 as shown in FIG. 2. In other words, in the extended position, the arm member 28 and the pole member 12 cooperate to form a forked or Y-shaped bifurcated end. The looped end of a rope 50 is then placed in the U-shaped brackets 48 of the rope supporting means so that the looped end is in a relatively horizontal and open condition. The boatman may then reach out with the mooring device 10 and position the loop over the piling 54. A quick downward movement of the mooring device 10 disengages the loop of the rope 50 from the U-shaped brackets 48 and permits the looped end to settle over the piling 54. It is particularly noted that, since the forked or bifurcated end of the mooring device 10 is open, the loop may be moved down around the piling 54 and the mooring device may be subsequently disengaged and drawn away from the piling 54. In other words, the piling or cleat may be centered between the arm member 28 and the cooperating portion of the pole member 12 to insure anchoring of the rope. Once the rope is disengaged from the brackets 48 the mooring device may be drawn away as the piling or cleat moves out through the open end of the bifurcation.

When use of the mooring device 10 is finished, the arm member 28 is moved back to the stowed position by pivoting the arm 28 about the pivot pin 32 and the adjacent portion of the pole member 12 is received in the elongated channel of the arm member 28. The mooring device may now be easily and conveniently stored. That is, since the mooring device is generally straight or continuous when collapsed, a relatively narrow space may be used for storing it.

Another feature of the instant invention is that the head 56 of the fastener 52, which secures the U-shaped bracket 48 to the free end 31 of the arm member 28, aids in maintaining the arm member 28 in the stowed position. Specifically, the head 56 engages the outer surface of the pole member 12 causing the upper wall 42 of the arm member 28 to flex slightly outwardly. Due to the resilient nature of the arm member 28 the head 56 forcefully engages the pole member. In this manner, a releasable connection is established between the arm member 28 and the pole member 12. The releasable connection avoids inadvertent swinging of the arm member 28 toward the extended position.

The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

Claims

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A mooring device comprising: a straight, elongated pole member having a handle end and a free end, an arm member having an attached end pivotally connected to said pole member near said free end thereof and a second end spaced from said attached end wherein said arm member is movable between a stowed position adjacent and generally parallel to said pole member and an extended position wherein said second end is disposed laterally from said pole member and forms therewith an open bifurcation with said free end of said pole member, and rope supporting means on said arm member and said pole member for temporarily supporting a rope; said rope supporting means on said pole member and said arm member all lying along a straight line which generally parallels said pole member when said arm member is in the stowed position.

2. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said arm member includes an elongated cavity for receiving a portion of said pole member in nesting relationship therewith when said arm member is in the stowed position.

3. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said rope supporting means includes a plurality of U-shaped brackets.

4. A device as set forth in claim 3 wherein said U-shaped brackets are mounted adjacent the end of said pole member, adjacent said free end of said arm member, and adjacent said attached end of said arm member.

5. A device as set forth in claim 3 wherein said arm member includes an elongated cavity for receiving a portion of said pole member in nesting relationship therewith when said arm member is in the stowed position.

6. A device as set forth in claim 5 including a hook member afixed to the free end of said pole member.

7. A device as set forth in claim 5 wherein said pole member includes extension means for extending the length thereof.

8. A device as set forth in claim 7 wherein said extention means includes a plurality of telescopically related pole segments.