WO2010064896A1

WO2010064896A1 - Device for use in mooring boats

Info

Publication number: WO2010064896A1
Application number: PCT/NL2009/000243
Authority: WO
Inventors: Johannes Ludovicus Hubertus Peters
Original assignee: Peters Johannes Ludovicus Hube
Priority date: 2008-12-03
Filing date: 2009-12-02
Publication date: 2010-06-10
Also published as: NL1036274C2

Abstract

Device for paying out a mooring-rope or something similar in order to put it round a mooring facility, such as a bollard, for a boat, comprising a stem having a haft at one end and at the other end a fork connected thereto, the fork having two legs situated substantially in a first plane, wherein at least one of the leg is provided with means for holding a portion of the mooring- rope alongside said leg for forming a loop with the mooring-rope, characterized in that at least one of both legs has a, particularly in the first plane, relatively bending-stiff portion that is connected in a bending-stiff manner to the stem and at least one of both legs has a portion that, particularly in the first plane, is elastically movable with respect to the bending-stiff portion, between a normal position and an outwardly displaced position.

Description

Device for use in mooring boats

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an aid for mooring boats by means of a mooring- rope that has to be put round a fixed point, such as a bollard or pole, in order to secure the boat via the mooring-rope to said fixed point.

Due to the distance between boat and bollard, putting a mooring-rope round a bollard and the like from a boat often requires great skill. Usually several attempts are necessary before the mooring-rope has been put round the bollard. During the time involved therein the steersman of the boat also has to try to keep the boat in the right place, which also requires sufficient skill from said steersman. In said time the waterway passage can remain occupied by the boat to an undesirable extent.

In the past aids have been suggested in order to improve on this.

An example thereof has been shown in US 5.799.602, in the form of an aid comprising a stem and a fork at the end thereof, wherein the legs of the fork define an accommodation space in between them, which accommodation space as regards width is adjusted to the bollard. At the upper side the fork forms a channel bounded by side walls for accommodation of the mooring- rope which is then situated on the bottom of said channel. During use, the fork must always be held with the channel upwardly oriented and almost immediately be placed correctly. Releasing the fork after placing the mooring-rope has to take place in downward direction, which may be difficult. Another example is shown in DE 35 08 470 in which the aid comprises a hollow bar in which two elongated leaf springs can be retracted and extended. In the retracted position the leaf springs abut each other within the tube. In the extended position the springs are locked against sliding back by an act, in one embodiment by means of a clamping wedge. At their ends the leaf springs have been provided with a small groove for holding a mooring-rope. In the extended position the leaf springs can be moved with respect to each other over their full length, wherein as a result of the clamping wedge they diverge over their full length. The mooring-rope can be brought into engagement with the small grooves in order to form a loop or to keep a loop of a mooring-rope open. Due to the large degree of elasticity of the leaf springs the stability of the loop leaves something to be desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide an aid of the type mentioned in the preamble, with which in a quick and/or controlled manner a mooring-rope can be put round a bollard and the like.

It is an object of the invention to provide an aid of the type mentioned in the preamble, with which a loop of/in a mooring-rope can be put round a bollard and the like in a stable manner.

It is an object of the invention to provide an aid of the type mentioned in the preamble, which has a simple structure.

It is an object of the invention to provide an aid of the type mentioned in the preamble that is easy to handle.

For achieving at least one of these objects the invention, from one aspect, provides a device for paying out a mooring-rope or something similar in order to put it round a mooring facility, such as a bollard, for a boat, comprising a stem having a haft at one end and at the other end a fork connected thereto, the fork having two legs situated substantially in a first plane, wherein at least one of the legs, preferably both legs, is provided with means for holding a portion of the mooring-rope alongside said leg for forming a loop with the mooring-rope, characterized in that at least one of both legs has a, particularly in the first plane, relatively bending-stiff portion that is connected in a bending-stiff manner to the stem and at least one of both legs has a portion that, particularly in the first plane, is elastically movable with respect to the bending-stiff portion, between a normal position and an outwardly displaced position.

Due to the combination of a bending-stiff leg portion and an elastically movable leg portion, on the one hand stability of the loop can be provided and on the other hand adjustment of the loop during putting it round can be made possible. The normal position in this case is the unloaded position of the leg with the elastically movable portion. Said portion due to engagement with the bollard is able to give way outwards in order to facilitate the placing of the loop and/or the retrieval of the device, the bending-stiff leg portion being able to provide stability. Bending-stiff in this case means that the portion in question or the connection in question cannot bend or hardly at all under the conditions of use relating to the device, the forces occurring therein.

In a further or alternative embodiment at least one of both legs has a, particularly in the first plane, relatively bending-stiff portion that is connected in a bending-stiff manner to the stem and at least one of both legs has a portion that, particularly in the first plane, is elastically movable with respect to the bending-stiff portion, between a normal position and an inwardly displaced position. In this way a tension can be realised in the loop, that is advantageous to the stability of the loop and to the control of placing the loop round the bollard and the like.

In one embodiment the at least one leg has both said bending-stiff portion and said elastically movable portion.

Preferably the elastic movability is achieved because the elastically movable portion in question is elastically deformable. Such an embodiment is easy to realise.

Both legs can be provided with outer ends, which outer ends have been provided with abutment surfaces for abutting each other in an inwardly displaced position, as a result of which in a maximally inwardly deformed position of the end portion or the end portions a ring is formed that is closed per se, in which way the stability of the loop is almost optimal.

In one embodiment that is versatile in use, both legs have such an elastically movable portion, preferably both also have said bend ing-stiff portion. The necessary degree of movability can then be divided over both legs.

In an embodiment that is easy to realise the elastically movable portion in question comprises an end portion of the leg in question. The elastically movable portion then preferably in proximal direction connects to the relatively bending-stiff portion, which thus is situated closer to the stem.

The stability of the loop is promoted when the leg in question with the end portion converges towards the other leg in a direction away from the stem. The loop is then held over a large part of its length, wherein the elasticity of the end portion, that possibly will extend partially behind the bollard, still renders retrieving the device possible.

In a further development thereof the leg in question is curved, preferably smoothly, in the first plane, having the convex side facing outward, wherein, preferably, the curve defined by the leg in question, relative to a second plane that contains the stem and is perpendicular to the first plane, has an apex, wherein the end portion extends at least from said apex in a direction away from the haft. Curved in this case also means a buckled shape. Curve will also mean a line with discontinuities. The transition between the relatively bending-stiff portion and the end portion can be situated between the apex and the stem, as a result of which the degree of possible deformation is increased.

In an embodiment that is versatile in use, both legs are correspondingly yet oppositely curved.

Considered with respect to a second plane that contains the stem and is perpendicular to the first plane, both legs can be designed substantially mirror-symmetrical. In one embodiment the holding means extend over the full length of the elastically movable portion.

For optimal holding, the holding means can define an outwardly opening channel for accommodation of the mooring-rope, which channel in opposite directions perpendicular to the first plane is at least partially bounded by side wall members. The rope, the cable etc. forming the mooring-rope can then easily be arranged on the device. The device then need not have a preferred direction, which facilitates use. In case of an inwardly elastically deformable end portion the tensioning of the loop is moreover enhanced.

The side walls of the channels need not be continuous, but may for instance form lips that are spaced apart from each other. In an as regards manufacturing by moulding advantageous embodiment, the lips of the one side wall are staggered with respect to the lips of the opposite side wall of said channel in such a way so as not to cover each other.

In a simple embodiment the fork is integrally formed by moulding, preferably injection moulding, preferably from a thermoplastic synthetic material, such as polyamide.

The elastic movability can alternatively be realised by an elastic hinge to be provided between end portion and relatively bending-stiff portion. In one embodiment the said end portion then has both forms of elastic movability.

From a further aspect the invention provides a device for paying out a mooring-rope or something similar in order to put it round a mooring facility, such as a bollard, for a boat, comprising a stem having a haft at one end and at the other end a fork fixed thereto, which fork has two legs that are situated in a first plane, wherein at least one of the legs is provided with means for holding a portion of the mooring-rope alongside said leg for forming a loop with the mooring-rope, wherein at least one of both legs, preferably both legs, has an end portion that in the normal position converges towards the other leg in a direction away from the stem and substantially in the plane of the legs is elastically movable, particularly deformable, between a normal position and an outwardly displaced position and/ between the normal position and an inwardly displaced position. Each leg may have a relatively bending-stiff portion that in distal direction connects to the elastically movable, particularly elastically deformable portion of the leg in question, wherein the relatively bending-stiff portions preferably come together in the origin of the fork. Also the said abutment surfaces and/or said embodiments of the holding means can be realised here.

It is noted that from US patent specification 3.841.685 a bar having a fork- shaped end for bringing a mooring-rope around a mooring pole is known, wherein the fork is formed by two curved rubber arms, which in the sides facing each other have been provided with an inwardly opening slit for the rope of the mooring-rope in order to introduce it in the inside of the arms or pull it out of there. The rubber arms are supported in their position by metal bands that are situated in the inside of the arms and extend from the base of the fork, and by two external metal shores that extend from a stem end to halfway the rubber arm, where they are attached to the arms and to the metal bands. The structure is such that the free ends of the arms are able to move apart from each other when putting a mooring-rope round a pole, wherein the rope is able to exit through the slit when the fork is retrieved. Placing the rope in both arms may be difficult. Furthermore the first stage of retrieval of the fork can be made complicated by a clamping of the inwardly oriented edge areas of the slit in the free arm ends between the rope and the pole.

The invention furthermore provides a fork apparently suitable and intended for a device according the invention, particularly provided with means for attachment to the stem.

The fork can be detachably attached to the stem, for instance by a screw connection or by a snap connection.

The aspects and measures described in this description and the claims of the application and/or shown in the drawings of this application may where possible also be used individually. Said individual aspects may be the subject of divisional patent applications relating thereto. This particularly applies to the measures and aspects that are described per se in the sub claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be elucidated on the basis of an exemplary embodiment shown in the attached drawings, in which:

Figures 1A-C show a front view, a side view and a view in perspective, respectively, of an exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention;

Figures 2A and 2B show front views of the device of the figures 1A-C, with an arranged mooring-rope, in two conditions; and

Figures 3A-E show a number of consecutive steps in putting a mooring- rope round a bollard using the device of figures 1A-C.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The device 1 shown in figures 1A-C comprises a stem 2 having a haft at the end that is not shown. The stem 2 can be telescopic and has a centre line

S. A fork 3 has been attached to the end of the stem 2, which fork 3 comprises two legs 3a, b, that come together at connecting sleeve 4 in which the end of the stem 2 has been attached, for instance by a permanent glue connection or by a detachable screw connection or snap connection. The legs 3a, b are substantially mirror-symmetrical with respect to plane M that contains the centre line S and is perpendicular to the plane of the drawing of figure 1A.

Each leg 3a, b comprises a portion 5a, b that has been made rigid by ribs 12a,b and an end portion 6a, b which in transition 7a, b merges into portion

5a, b. The portions 5a, b are bending-stiff against bending in the plane of the drawing of figure 1A. On the other hand the end portions 6a, b are elastic, resilient, deformable in said plane, from the drawn unloaded normal position inwards (direction A) and outwards (direction B), respectively, in which way their distal ends as at were define a flexible opening to the space defined by the legs 3a, b. The legs 3a, b are bent in a smooth convex way, wherein the largest width, situated between both apexes T1 and T2, of the space 100 (figure 1A) defined by the legs 3a, b in plane V (figure 1B) at the inside of said legs, is situated on line T. The transition 7a, b is situated between the apexes T1 , T2 and the connection 4 to the stem 2. At their outer ends the legs 3a, b have been provided with abutment surfaces 8a, b which in the unloaded normal position are situated at a distance U from each other.

The end portions 6a,b comprise a flat, curved strip 11a,b, forming the bottom of outwardly (B) opening channels 13a, b. The channels 13a, b in this example are bounded sideward by lips 9a, 10a and 9b, 10b. In the transitions 7a, b the channel bottoms 11a,b merge into contact surfaces 14a, b at the outside of the bending-stiff leg portions 5a, b.

The fork 3 is integrally formed by moulding, particularly by injection moulding, for instance from a synthetic material, particularly thermoplastic synthetic material, such as polyamide, wherein the dividing plane in the mould may coincide with the plane V. The staggered position of the lips 9a, b on the one hand and the lips 10a,b on the other hand, in such a way so as not to cover each other, makes a simple mould possible. Due to suitable dimensioning of the legs 3a, b the desired degree of (resilient) deformability of the end portions 6a, b can be achieved. The stem 2 may be made of aluminium.

In use the device 1 is held straight up with the one hand on the stem 2, wherein the stem 2 while the haft end can rest on the ground. Subsequently the other hand places a portion of the mooring-rope 20, such as a hawser, rope or limp cable, over the fork 3, wherein the mooring-rope 20 will come to lie in the channels 13a,b confined sideward by the lips 9a, 10a and 9b, 10b. The mooring-rope may comprise a preformed loop that is then placed on the fork.

In figure 2A placing the mooring-rope 20 on the device 1 has been completed, wherein the portions 20a and 2Oe run from the fork 3 towards the stem 2, and can be held thereon by hand. The mooring-rope portions

20ab, 20c and 2Od extend through channel 13a, over the intermediate space between the abutment surfaces 8a, b and through channel 13b, respectively, also supported and oriented by the surfaces 14a and 14b.

As holding the portions 20a and 2Oe on the stem 2 exerts a tensile force in the direction C on said portions, a transverse force directed in the directions

A is exerted on the end portions 6a, b, as a result of which the end portions

6a,b have been somewhat urged towards each other and the space 100 is somewhat decreased, see space 100a, and the intermediate space U has been decreased to U1. As the end portions 6a, b are elastically deformable they exert an outwardly directed force on the mooring-rope, as a result of which the loop will become taut and the risk of the loop getting detached from the fork legs 3a, b is minimal.

The mooring-rope 20 can be tightened to such an extent that the abutment surfaces 8a,b come to abut each other and an annular support has been realised for the loop, wherein a space 100b has been formed (figure 20B).

In the condition of figure 2A or the one of figure 2B the user swings the device, including mooring-rope 20, into a horizontal position, in order to bring the loop above a bollard or pole 50 (figures 3A-E), reaching from a boat to be moored (direction D, figure 3A). In this example the condition of figure 2B has been taken.

Subsequently he lowers the fork 3, direction E, figure 3B,C in order to let the bollard 50 extend into the space 100b. Should the bollard have a relatively broad head, then it could be considered to slightly ease the tension in the direction C at that moment, so that the bollard 50 is able to urge the end portions 6a, b a little apart.

After the legs 3a, b on both sides extend around and, considered from the position of the user, behind the bollard 50, the user pulls the stem 2 back, direction F, figure 3D. Meanwhile the user lets the portions 20a, e slip past the stem 2. The end portions 6a, b abut the surface 51 of the bollard 50, and are urged apart in the directions B, to past the normal position. The abutment surfaces 8a, b slide further over the surface 51 until at the other side of the bollard 50, they get free from said surface and the fork legs 3a, b have elastically been moved back in the directions A and the fork 3 assumes the normal position again and the loop lies around the bollard 50, see figure 3E. The user retrieves the device 1 back on board, direction G. The mooring-rope is now around the bollard 50 and mooring can be completed.

It is noted that in the figures a simple embodiment is shown in which the elastic movability of the portions 6a, b has been realised by choice of material thickness and/or design. Alternatively it could also be possible to realise said movability by at the locations of the transitions 7a, b rotatably connecting the end portions 6a, b to the bending-stiff portions 5a,b. This is possible per se, wherein the -in that case- hinges 7a,b can be elastic for effecting the desired resilience.

It is furthermore noted that the device can also be used for putting a mooring-rope around a cleat.

The above description is included to illustrate the operation of preferred embodiments of the invention and not to limit the scope of the invention. Starting from the above explanation many variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention will be evident to an expert.

(L/P119PCT NG 3397)

Claims

1. Device for paying out a mooring-rope or something similar in order to put it round a mooring facility, such as a bollard, for a boat, comprising a stem having a haft at one end and at the other end a fork connected thereto, the fork having two legs situated substantially in a first plane, wherein at least one of the legs, preferably both legs, is provided with means for holding a portion of the mooring-rope alongside said leg for forming a loop with the mooring-rope, characterized in that at least one of both legs has a, particularly in the first plane, relatively bending-stiff portion that is connected in a bending-stiff manner to the stem and at least one of both legs has a portion that, particularly in the first plane, is elastically movable with respect to the bending-stiff portion, between a normal position and an outwardly displaced position.

2. Device according to claim 1 or according to its preamble, wherein at least one of both legs has a, particularly in the first plane, relatively bending-stiff portion that is connected in a bending-stiff manner to the stem and at least one of both legs has a portion that, particularly in the first plane, is elastically movable with respect to the bending-stiff portion, between a normal position and an inwardly displaced position.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one leg has both said bending-stiff portion and said elastically movable portion.

4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the said elastically movable portion is elastically deformable.

5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein both legs have such an elastically movable portion, preferably both also have said bending-stiff portion.

6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the elastically movable portion in question comprises an end portion of the leg in question, and preferably in proximal direction connects to the relatively bending-stiff portion.

7. Device according to claim 6, wherein the leg in question with the end portion converges towards the other leg in a direction away from the stem.

8. Device according to claim 7, wherein the leg in question is curved, preferably smoothly, in the first plane, having the convex side facing outward, wherein, preferably, the curve defined by the leg in question, relative to a second plane that contains the stem and is perpendicular to the first plane, has an apex, wherein the end portion extends at least from said apex in a direction away from the haft, wherein the transition preferably is situated between the relatively bending-stiff portion and the end portion between the apex and the stem.

9. Device according to claim 6, 7 or 8, wherein both legs are correspondingly yet oppositely curved.

10. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein considered with respect to a second plane that contains the stem and is perpendicular to the first plane, both legs are designed substantially mirror- symmetrical.

11. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the holding means extend over the full length of the elastically movable portion.

12. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the holding means define an outwardly opening channel for accommodation of the mooring-rope, which channel in opposite directions perpendicular to the first plane is at least partially bounded by side wall members.

13. Device according to claim 12, wherein the side wall members form lips that are spaced apart from each other.

14. Device according to claim 13, wherein the lips of the one side wall are staggered with respect to the lips of the opposite side wall of said channel in such a way so as not to cover each other.

15. Device according to claim 2 or 3 or one of the claims depending thereon, wherein both legs are provided with outer ends, which outer ends are provided with abutment surfaces for abutting each other in an inwardly displaced position.

16. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fork is integrally formed by moulding, preferably injection moulding, preferably from a thermoplastic synthetic material.

17. Device according to the preamble of claim 1 or according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of both legs, preferably both legs, has an end portion which in the normal position converges towards the other leg in a direction away from the stem and substantially in the plane of the legs is elastically movable, particularly deformable, between a normal position and an outwardly displaced position and between the normal position and an inwardly displaced position.

18. Device for paying out a mooring-rope or something similar in order to put it round a mooring facility, such as a bollard, for a boat, comprising a stem having a haft at one proximal end and at the other distal end a fork having two legs that are situated substantially in a first plane, wherein the legs in unloaded condition are spaced apart from each other and define an intermediate space between them, wherein both legs at their distal end define an opening that is narrowed with respect to the intermediate space, wherein the (distal) end portions of the legs can be relatively moved apart and towards each other in an elastic way, wherein preferably the distal ends of both legs are elastically movable with respect to the stem.

19. Device according to claim 18, wherein each leg has a relatively bending-stiff portion which in distal direction connects to the elastically movable, particularly elastically deformable portion of the leg in question, wherein the relatively bending-stiff portions preferably come together in the origin of the fork.

20. Device according to any one of the claims 16-19, provided with means for holding a portion of the mooring-rope alongside said leg for forming a loop with the mooring-rope, wherein the holding means define an outwardly opening channel for accommodation of the mooring-rope.

21. Device according to any one of the claims 16-20, wherein the end portions of both legs are provided with outer ends, which outer ends are provided with abutment surfaces for abutting each other in an inwardly displaced position.

22. Fork apparently suitable and intended for a device according to any one of the preceding claims.

23. Fork according to claim 22, provided with means for attachment to the stem.

24. Device provided with one or more of the characterizing measures described in the attached description and/or shown in the attached drawings.

25. Method provided with one or more of the characterizing measures described in the attached description and/or shown in the attached drawings.

(L/P119PCT CIS NG 1108)