CA1225545A - Heaving line storage and deployment apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

A Heaving Line Storage and Deployment Apparatus comprises a rope of sufficient strength to pull a person through water and a buoyant spool comprising a drum about which the rope is rotatably secured, one flanqe member having inner and outer faces, the inner face being attached to one end of the drum, and retaining means attached to the other end of the drum for preventing the rope from sliding off of the drum.

Description

~2Z55~15 THE NATURE OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a heaving line storage and deployment apparatus from which a rope may be rapidly deployed by hand. In particular, the apparatus may be used as a throwable safety device of particular interest in marine environments.

BACEGROUND OF TRE INVENTION
In many situations, as for e~ample in an emergency, it is desirable to deploy a rope from one person to another across an intervening distance. For e~ample, in a boating accident, a person may fall over-board and be separated from a boat. In many cases, rough waters make close approach to the victim difficult or impossible. In such situations, especially in cold waters, rescue of the victim must be effected as soon as possible. Time is of the essence, as the victim may become hypothermic and drown within minutes of entering the water. Accordingly, no time can be wasted in an effort to bring the boat so close to the victim that a~
person on board the boat may reach and haul the victim out of the water. In any event, even if the boat could be maneuvered so close to the victim, the high sides of the boat may make it difficult or impossible to pull the victim on board.

Many coast guard or similar regulations require boats and other vessels to keep a certain type and length of rope on board for use in such emergency situations. Such ropes are commonly known as "heaving lines". Typically, such heaving lines must be of buoyant polypropylene rope at least 50 feet in length.

~' ~~ - 2 - 12~5~5 1 In practice, heaving lines are typically used for everyday purposes, such as mooring, towing or anchoring, rather than reserved only for emergency use. When not in use, they are often stored loosely in a relatively inaccessible location on the boat. However, under such conditions, the rope may easily become twisted, looped, tangled and knotted. The useful life of the heaving line is reduced. Even more importantly, it may not be useable in the event of an emergency. The rope may become tangled or caught up with the boat, so that it might not be throwable.
Tangles, knots and loops in the rope reduce its length and thus it might not e~tend to the target. Furthermore, such tangles, knots and loops may interfere with a smoothly made and smoothly paying out throw, thus affecting the accuracy and reliability of the thro~. The tangles, knots and loops may also be more easily caught by the wind or by obstacles, thus interfering with the throw.

... ~
Simple heaving lines suffer from the further disadvantage that a line in the water may be invisible to a victim. The victim may not be able to maintain hold of a relatively thin rope for long enough to be pulled to the boat and out of the water. There is a good possibility that a victim may, due to the effects of cold or otherwise, let go his grasp on the rope, before being safely pulled on board.

In view of the above-described storage difficulties, it is desireable to store the rope in an organized fashion on the boat. Typically, this is accomplishèd by wrapping the rope around an object on or in the boat. Before such a heaving line can be used, it must first be removed from the ~torage object and then 12~559L~

1 thrown. Valuable time may be lost. Some ropes, such as anchor lines or ski tow ropes, may be attàched to a rotatable drum or w1nch attached to the boat. Before such a rope could be heaved, at least some of it must be unwrapped from the winch before being thrown. Again, valuable time may be lost. In addition, the winch and its mechanism may impede the smooth payout ~f the thrown rope.

In other cases, the heaving line is wrapped around or attached to a conventional life ring, which may be thrown. For e~ample, U.S. Patents No. 4,033,276, 4,416,640 and 4,449,947 all disclose life ring devices which are intended to be stored in a boat with a heaving line.

However, life rings are relatively heavy and it may be difficult for a rescuer to throw the ring all the way to the victim. In addition, if the life ring strikes the victim, the impact may stun or render him unconscious, thus decreasing the chances of a successful rescue. Furthermore, it may be difficult to control the accuracy of the throw. In order to achieve a ma~imum distance on a throw, the ring and rope must be thrown high into the air. This requirement reduces the possibility that the throw will be accurate. Furthermore, the accuracy o~ the throw may be affected or impaired by the action of the wind on the rope and ring.

Life rings are relatively bulky, requiring a significant amount of storage space in a boat, or other vessel or vehicle.
This factor may discourage the use of life rings as safety devices, particularly in small boats.

- 4 - 12~55~

1 Ideally, any flotation or safety device thrown to a victim in the wster should land within arm's rech of the victim.
However, in reality, many throws will go at least slightly astray, putting the ring or other device out of srm's reach of the victim.
In such a case the victim must swim to the ring or d vice.
Standard life rings and other safety devices generally have a low profile with the water. This means that the visibility to the victim, whose head is virtually at water level, is low. In other words, it may be very difficult for the victim to see the flotation or safety device which may be just out of arm's reach.

STATE~ENT OF T~E INVENTION
-The invention comprises a heaving line storage and deployment apparatus comprising a rope of sufficient strength to pull a person through water, and, a buoyant spool comprising a drum means about which said rope is rotatably secured, one flange member having inner and outer faces, the inner face being attached to one end of the drum means, and retaining means attached to the - other end of the drum means for preventing the rope from sliding off the drum means.

The apparatus of the invention conveniently allows for tangle and knot-free storage of a heaving line, and yet allows quick and reliable deployment of the line, when needed.

It may also be possible to use the heaving line storage and deployment device according to the invention in other than marine environments. For e~ample, in other dangerous situations, where a victim cannot be easily reached (such as in icy conditions ~ 5 ~ 12~55~5 1 over water or in suamp conditions), a device according to the invention could be easily used.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims anne~ed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the ~ccompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the invention.

IN T~E DRAWING
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a heaving line storage and deployment apparatus, according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a cross-section of the heaving line storage and deployment apparatus, according to the invention along the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view of the heaving line storage and deployment apparatus of the invention in operation;

Figure 4 is a front view of a victim shown secured to a heaving line storage and deployment apparatus, according to the invention; and, Figure 5 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a heaving line storage and deployment apparatus, according to the invention.

~2~55~
l DESCRIPTION OF A SPECIFIC ENBODIMENT
.
Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a perspective view of a heaving line storage and deployment apparatus 10 according to the invention. Rescuer R is shown holding the appsratus 10, ready to be thrown or deployed.

Referring to Figure 3, a heaving line storage and deployment apparatus 10 is shown being thrown toward a victim V.
Another heaving line storage and deployment apparatus 10 is shown,, stored in boat B.

~ eaving line storage and deployment apparatus 10 comprises a spool 12 around which is wrapped heaving, or retrieval line 14. Spool 12 is floatable and sufficiently buoyant to support the force, if any, e~erted by line 14 when spool 12 is in the water near victim V.

At its free end, retrieval line 14 loops around to define a wrist loop 16. Wrist loop 16 may be formed by any suitable means. A convenient clamp 18 is shown (Figures 1 and 23.
However, loop 16 could be formed by an appropriate tied knot, splice, or otker rope joining means.

Preferably, line 14 comprises a buoyant polypropylene rope having a diameter of about 5/16 inch. Smaller sizes of rope may be used; however, they may be too weak for the tasks in which they may be used. Lar~er sizes of rope may also be used; however, they may result in an apparatus which is larger, heavier or both, and thus less convenient to use. Rope 14 must be of a sufficient size ~o at least pull a victim V through the water, and preferably 12~SS~5 l to actually pull him out of the water into boat B. To satisfy certain boating regulations, line 14 is preferably at least 50 feet long.

Referring to Figure 2, a cross-section of the heaving line storage and deployment apparatus 10 is shown. Spool 12 comprises upper and lower flange discs 20 joined together by a central drum 22. Spool 12 preferably defines a hollow interior 24, which is unable to communicate with the e~terior. Such a hollow sealed interior may provide improved buoyancy to spool 12. Preferably, spool 12 is integrally manufactured from a relatively strong, lightweight material. Ideally, the material of spool 12 should have a low coefficient of friction with the material of rope 14. A suitable spool material for use with polypropylene rope would be a synthetic plastic, preferably polyethylene. The material of spool 12 is preferably of a bright, visible colour.

Discs 20 define outer diameters of preferably between ~
and 12 inches, and more preferably of about 10 inches. Discs Z0 are preferably spaced apart widely enough for an operator to insert his fingers therebetween and for several coils of line 14 to be stored therebetween. Accordingly, the total height of apparatus 10 is preferably between 3 and 6 inches, and most preferably about 4 1/2 inches.

The diameter of drum 22 is preferably at least 20Z ~hat of disc 20 and at least 2 inches, in order to decrease the effect of polypropylene rope set (namely, the tendency for polypropylene rope to retain a coil or other shape). ~ore preferably, the 1.2~5545 diameter of drum 22 is about 4 inches. If rope 14 is too tightly coiled, there may be a deleterious effect on the thro~ing of apparatus 10.

ID order to decrease the risk of injury to a victim V, spool 12 is preferably no heavier than about 800 grams. On the other hand, for accurate rope deployment at up to 50 feet, it preferably weighs no less than abo~t 300 grams. ~ore preferably, spool 12 weighs about 500 grams.

Rope 14 is preferably about as massive as spool 12.The weight of rope 14 is thus a significant component of the total weight of apparatus 10. For e~ample, 50 feet of 5/16 inch polypropylene rope 14 weighs about 375 grams and conveniently fits on a 10 in~h diameter spool 12 weighing about 500 grams. The rope 14 in such a case represents more than 40~ of the total weight of apparatus 10. Thus, the momentum of apparatus 10 is higher at the beginning of a throw, which may assist in deployment of rope 14.
At the end of the throw when rope 14 is substantially deployed, spool 12 is relatively light and there is less likelihood of injury to a victim V.

The outer surfaces of discs 20 define outwardly oriented, circumferential outer rim formations 26. The central portion of the outer surface of discs 20 defines an essentially flat surface 28. However, surface 28 may e~tend slightly outwardly at the central a~is of spool 12 in order to provide additional structural strength to spool 12.

- 9 - 12~55~5 l Surface 28 of lower flange disc 20, together with outer rim 26 of lower disc 20, together define an aerodynamic surface capable of providing at least some aerodynamic lift to heaving line storage and deployment apparatus 10 as it is thrown towards a victim V. Although surface 28 may define a slightly outwardly conve~ shape for additional strength, it will be appreciated that such outward conve~ity cannot be too great or the aerodynamic qualities oi disc 20 will be worsened. The e~tent of the outward conve~ity is readily ascertainable by any person skilled in the art.

Preferably, heaving line storage and deployment apparatus 10 is circularly symmetrical about a central a~is. Furthermore, the upper and lower halves of apparatus 10 are also preferably symmetrical. Thus, while in Figure 1 a rescuer R is shown as beiDg right-handed and holding a lower disc 20, rescuer R could as easily be holding upper disc 20. In addition, it makes no di~ference whether rescuer R is left or right-handed. The apparatus 10 can be as easily thrown from either left-handed or right-handed sides. In addition, either disc 20 may be used as lower disc 20. In other words, apparatus 10 may be thrown right-side-up or up-side-down. The rescuer R must, of course, take care to ensure that prior to throwing that he will throw the apparatus 10 in a manner allowing rope 14 to unwind from spool 12, and not to wind more tightly.

Referring again to Figure 2, the inner faces of discs 20 define annular reinforcing portions, or steps 28. Steps 28 provide additional structural strength to spool 12. This may be particularly important uhen the rope has been completely deployed ~Z~554S

l and a victim is holding onto spool 12 and being hauled toward the rescuer R. In such a situation, substantial stress may be applied to drum 22 and to its junction with the inner surfaces of the flange discs 20.

Preferably, inner steps 28 are radially located about half way between the outer edges of drum 22 and of discs 20. Such a positioning optimizes the rope capacity and strength of spool 12.

Rope 14 is wrapped around central drum 22 and secured to itself, formi~g an inner loop (not shown). Preferably, drum 22 is free to rotate within such inner loop. The loop can be formed by any suitable securing means (not sho~n). Preferably, such securing means may be a clamp or a suitable crimping member, crimped around rope 14, much in the manner of clamp 18. However, it will be appreciatd that any suitable means, including knotting, splicing or whipping, may be used.

During storage, rope 14 is wrapped into place around central drum 22. Rope 14 in its wrapped or stored position does not extend all the way out to the edges of flange discs 20.
Rather, a suitable space is left adjacent the outer edge of discs 20 to provide a suitable gripping location for the rescuer's thumb or fingers. Preferably, about one inch of space is provided.

Flange discs 20 define circumferential, inwardly oriented inner rim formations 30. Such inner rims 30 provide a suitable and comfortable gripping location for the rescuer's thumb or fingers. In addition, such inner rims S0 assist in the smooth L2~i5~5 l paying out of retrieval line 14 as apparatus 10 is thrown towards a victim V.

The radially inward side of each of outer rims 26 and inner rims 30 is preferably provided with suitable friction formations, such as annular ribs 32. Such ribs 32 provide improved grip for rescuer R.

In operation, referring to Figure 3, there is shown a boat B floating on a body of water W. A victim V has fallen overboard and is in need of assistance. Rescuer R is located in boat B. Rescuer R removes a heaving line storage and deployment apparatus 10 from its storage location in boat B. ~e places his hand through wrist loop 16 and grasps the edge of either upper or lower flange disc 20. Ribs 32 provide grip for rescuer R's thumb and fingers. Ensuring that he is holding apparatus 10 whereby retrieval line 14 may unwind (rather than wind up more tightly) as -.
it is thrown, rescuer R throws rope deployment apparatus 10 towards victim V substantially in the same manner as a FRISBEE
(trade mark) flying disc toy would be thrownO Prior to throwing, rescuer R may remove a few feet of rope 14 from apparatus 10 by merely putting on wrist loop 16. The relatively low co-efficient of friction between the polypropylene rope 14 and the polyethylene spool 12 allows the entire coil of rope 14 to rotate, as loop 16 is pulled . It is not necessary to actually unwind rope 14 rom the spool 12. Such a few feet of freed rope 14 may improve the throw.

Apparatus 10 spins as it moves through the air, allowing line 14 to unwind off spool 12. Inner rims 30 assist in the smooth - 12 - ~2~55~5 l paying out of line 14, a characteristic enhanced by the low co-efficient of friction between rope 14 and spool 12.

The lower surface 28 of lower disc 20 provides at least some aerodynamic lift to apparatus 10 as it moves through the air toward victim V. Apparatus 10 can therefore be thrown relatively low over water U to victim V. This decreases interference from wind and improves the accuracy of the rescuer's throw.

In the event that the rescuer's throw goes astray, rescuer R can retrieve spool 12 by pulling in on retrieval line 14. It is not necessary to rewind line 14 onto spool 12. Rather, rescuer R may simply throw spool 12 towards victim V on a second attempt. In this case, central drum 22 simply spins around in the inner loop of line 14 and line 14 is pulled behind spool 12 as it sails towards victim V. Of course, if spool 12 is thrown on such a second attempt, rescuer R must ensure that he is not stan~ing on retrieval line 14 and that line 14 is otherwise unlikely to be restricted as it is being paid out towards victim V.

When spool 12 strikes the water, it will float relatively high on the water W. Hopefully, spool 12 will land within the grasp of victim V. However, if it does not, because of the high profile of the spool and its bright colour, spool 12 will be highly visible. Accordingly, victim V may swim to spool 12 and retrieve the end of retrieval line 14.

Victim V can be hauled towards boat B by rescuer R by holding on to spool 12. Alternatively, and in many instances more desirably, victim V can secure himself to the rope 14 in the - 13 - ~2~S~

1 following way. Referrlng to Figure 4, the victim V passes spool 12 around his body and over line 14. When line 14 is tightened, spool 12 will catch against tautened retrieval line 14 between the upper and lower flange discs 20. Such a method for securing line 14 to victim V is relatively simple, quick and reliable. Once line 14 is secured in this way about victim V, he can be simply hauled toward and into boat B. In the event that victim V loses consciousness or otherwise becomes immobile prior to actually reaching the boat B, rescuer R can complete the rescue.

In other embodiments, it may be possible to provide for upper and lower discs of different sizes. It may also be possible to provide only one disc, being a lower disc. Referring to Figure ~, a retaining means 40 to merely hold the rope 14 onto the drum 22 may replace the upper disc 20 of the other Figures. Retaining means 40 prevents rope 14 from slipping off drum 22. However, for such embodiments different left and right hand models may ~ave to be provided for use by left and right-handed people, respectively.

The foregoing is a description of a preferred embodiment of the invention which is given here by way of e~ample only. The invention is not to be taken as limited to any of the specific features as described, but comprehends all such variations thereof as come within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (25)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY
OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. A heaving line storage and deployment apparatus compris-ing:
a rope of sufficient strength to pull a person through water; and, a light weight, compact buoyant spool comprising a buoyant central circular drum means about which said rope is rotatably secured, and a pair of buoyant circular flange members substantially identical to each other, each flange member having inner and outer faces, the inner face of one flange member being attached to one end of said drum means, and the inner face of the other flange member being attached to the other end of said drum means, said flange members projecting beyond said drum means for preventing said rope from sliding off of the said drum means, said flange members being spaced apart sufficiently by said drum means so that a user may insert a thumb or finger between said flange members and may grip either of said flange members between said thumb and one or more fingers to throw said apparatus, thereby to deploy said rope.

2. A heaving line storage and deployment apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said spool is about as massive as said rope.

3. A heaving line storage and deployment apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein said rope is approximately 50 feet in length.

4. A heaving line storage and deployment apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein each said flange member defines an outer circumferential rim formation around said outer face, said formation extending generally away from said outer face.

5. A heaving line storage and deployment apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 4 wherein each said flange member defines an inner circumferential rim formation around said inner face, said inner formation extending generally away from said inner face towards said other flange member.

6. A heaving line storage and deployment apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein said rim formation defines a radially inward surface with annular rib frictional formations thereon.

7. A heaving line storage and deployment apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said inner face of each said flange member defines an annular reinforcing portion attached to said drum means.

8. A heaving line storage and deployment apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein said reinforcing portion defines an annular step radially located about halfway between said drum means and the outer edge of said flange member.

9. A heaving line storage and deployment apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said outer face of each said flange member defines a slightly outwardly convex central portion.

10. A heaving line storage and deployment apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein said rope is of polypropylene material and said spool is made of a plastic material having a relatively low co-efficient of friction with polypropylene.

11. A heaving line storage and deployment apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein said spool is made of polyethylene, defines a hollow interior sealed from external communication, and weighs between about 300 and 800 grams and said rope is about 50 feet in length and at least about 1/4 inch in diameter.

12. A heaving line storage and deployment apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein each said flange member is between about 5 and 12 inches in diameter and said drum means has a diameter at least 20% of said flange member diameter and is at least about 2 inches in diameter.

13. A heaving line storage and deployment device for deploy-ing a rope to a desired location for a connection of said rope to a person or object at said location, said device comprising:
(a) a rope of sufficient strength to pull a person through water, (b) a buoyant spool of light weight and compact size, (c) said spool comprising a pair of circular disk members, said disk members being spaced apart from each other and each being of substantial thickness, said disk members being joined to each other by a central drum, (d) said drum being of height at least several times the diameter of said rope for accommodating a substantial length of said rope and for spacing said flange members apart sufficiently so that a user may insert a thumb or finger between said flange members and may grip either of said flange members between said thumb and one or more fingers to throw said apparatus, thereby to deploy said rope, said spool thereby having a predetermined diameter and a predetermined height, (e) said spool being of hollow plastic construction, each disk member having a hollow interior and said drum having a hollow interior and said hollow interiors of said disk members and drum all being open to each other for maximum buoyancy for said spool, (f) said disk members each having a closed continuous outer surface and the diameter of said spool being substan-tially greater than the height of said spool, thus to improve the aerodynamic qualities of said spool so that it may be thrown a substantial distance, (g) said rope being wound around said drum and rotatably secured to said drum by an inner loop around said drum, so that said spool can rotate within said inner loop when said rope is unwound from said drum, thus to permit said spool, when it is thrown with said rope unwound from said drum, to spin as it deploys said rope whereby to increase the distance which said spool may be thrown to deploy said rope.

14. A device according to claim 13 wherein said disk members are each between five and twelve inches in diameter.

15. A device according to claim 14 wherein said disk members are each approximately ten inches in diameter.

16. A device according to claim 14 wherein the weight of said spool is between 300 and 800 grams.

17. A device according to claim 16 wherein the weight of said spool is approximately 500 grams.

18. A device according to claim 16 wherein the height of said spool is approximately between three and six inches.

19. A device according to claim 18 the height of said spool is approximately four inches.

20. A device according to claim 13 wherein each disk member has an inner surface extending radially outwardly from said drum, a circumferential edge portion joining said inner and outer sur-faces and circumferential edge portion being axially enlarged to form a rim formation extending axially beyond each of said inner and outer surfaces adjacent thereto, so that a user may grip said rim formation for throwing said device an increased distance.

21. A device according to claim 20 wherein each rim forma-tion is ridged to facilitate gripping thereof.

22. A device according to claim 20 wherein said inner sur-face of each disk member includes a radially inward portion, a radially outward portion, and an axially sloped portion extending therebetween to strengthen said disk member.

23. A device according to claim 13 wherein said rope is approximately 50 feet in length and is approximately equal in mass to that of said spool.

24. A device according to claim 13 wherein said outer sur-face of each disk member is convex.

25. A device according to claim 13 wherein each disk member has an inner surface extending radially outwardly from said drum, a circumferential edge portion joining said inner and outer sur-faces and circumferential edge portion being axially enlarged to form a rim formation extending axially beyond at least one of said inner and outer surfaces adjacent thereto, so that a user may grip said rim formation for throwing said device an increased distance.