EP2658770A1

EP2658770A1 - Fairlead for nautical use

Info

Publication number: EP2658770A1
Application number: EP11820798.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Andrea Merello; Giampaolo SPERA; Antonio BINACCHI
Original assignee: Nube Srl
Current assignee: Nube Srl
Priority date: 2010-12-30
Filing date: 2011-12-30
Publication date: 2013-11-06
Also published as: ITMI20102470A1; WO2012090063A1; IT1403897B1

Abstract

The fairlead (10) comprises a static part (20), intended to be stably fixed on a boat (1), and a mobile part (30), guided in a mobile fashion with respect to the static part (20) between at least two operative positions, a first position in which a rope (5) is allowed to run freely in the fairlead (10) and a second position in which a rope (5) is held in the fairlead (10). Thanks to this fairlead (10), the manoeuvre with which the rope (5) is disengaged from a winch (2) and fixed to a bitt (3) can be carried out without any fuss, after having taken the mobile part (30) of the fairlead (10) into its second operative position; indeed, the rope (5) remains held by the fairlead (10), and its part wound on the winch (2), which therefore is no longer under tension, can easily be disengaged and fixed to the bitt (3). All of the tension, including possible jerks, is borne by the fairlead (10).

Description

Fairlead for nautical use

DESCRIPTION

The present invention refers to a fairlead for nautical use.

When a boat is moored, to a jetty (or other analogous structure), ropes are used both to manoeuvre up to the jetty and to maintain position during mooring. These ropes are tied between a fixed structure on the jetty and a traction and blocking system aboard the boat. The fixed structure is generally a simple and strong structure, capable of withstanding bad weather over long periods without needing to be replaced; typically it is formed from a bitt or a ring. The on-board traction and blocking system can be of different kinds depending on the boat. On very small boats a bitt may suffice, to which the rope is fixed after it has been adequately tightened manually; on the other hand, on larger boats, the bitt has a winch functionally associated with it, mounted near to the bitt to assist the sailor in hauling the rope. Sometimes a single winch is functionally associated with many bitts. Indeed, for mooring ropes extending along different directions are used, to counteract any unwanted movement of the boat; it is possible for it to be necessary to fix many ropes to respective bitts in the same area of the boat. In these cases, it is accepted practice to provide a single winch as hauling means for all of the ropes that are then each fixed to a different bitt. In use, each rope is wound on the winch to adequately tighten it (obtaining for example the desired closeness of the boat to the jetty), after which it is disengaged from the winch and fixed to the bitt. Both when the rope is being hauled by the winch, and when the rope remains fixed to the bitt, the rope itself usually interferes with a part of the boat hull. In order to prevent this interference from causing the rope to rub on the hull and consequently damage the hull and/or the rope, a fairlead is used. The fairlead is also used to define the position in which the rope arrives on-board and thus the direction with which it comes to the winch and to the bitt.

According to the size of the boat and its characteristics, there are fairleads with various configurations.

A particularly simple type of fairlead is formed from an almost ring-shaped element, in practice shaped like a more or less closed C, i.e. with two opposite sliding seats, open in front of one another and separated by an opening sufficient for a rope to pass through. This type of fairlead is generally applied on the side or on the deck, with the C-shaped structure open towards the top. The rope is then inserted from above into the C of the fairlead and then the running of the rope takes place on one of the two opposite sliding seats. Such a fairlead is extremely versatile, in practice capable of managing a lot of mooring conditions, with the rope actually being able to take up any angle, provided it is not upwards.

Another type of fairlead with an even simpler configuration is formed by a pin with a widened head, which is fixed vertically on the side or on the deck. Such a fairlead is able to manage specific mooring situations, in which there is a clearly defined angle of the rope that allows the rope to pass around the pin and beneath the widened head. Fairleads of this type can easily be sized to withstand very large stresses.

Another very common type of fairlead is formed by an opening made in the broadside, the annular edge of which is suitably reinforced and rounded. This type of fairlead is also used on large boats, where it allows the rope to pass at a convenient height, lower than the side. Fairleads closed in a ring also exist as separate structures, to be applied on the side or on the deck of the boat.

Fairleads with rolls or similar rotary elements, so as to reduce the friction when the rope runs through, are also known.

In any case, during a manoeuvre to approach and moor a boat that is not small, a sailor must - in sequence - firstly guide the rope in (or around) the fairlead, then belay the rope on the winch, then tighten the rope by means of the winch; when the boat has reached the desired position, the sailor must then disengage the rope from the winch and finally fix it to the bitt. This sequence of manoeuvres has always been carried out by sailors, and the only technical progress that is been made available is motorised winches.

Sometimes, especially with large ropes, sailors use an auxiliary rope to help them. The auxiliary rope is fixed to the mooring rope by means of a so-called stopper knot and then is fixed to a suitable anchoring point, for example a bitt. In this way, the mooring rope is held even when it is not held by the winch; it is thus possible to fix the rope to the bitt after having disengaged it from the winch, without the rope itself losing tension in a substantial manner.

The Applicant has realised that the aforementioned sequence of operations is rather complex and exposes the sailor to a risk of injury, at the moment when he disengages the rope from the winch and fixes it to the bitt. In this step, indeed, the rope is under tension and an unforeseen movement of the boat, for example due to wave motion or a gust of wind, can cause jerking on the rope. In such a case, the sailor risks being injured or losing balance and falling. The risk is more serious as the stresses involved become greater. The object of the present invention is to avoid the aforementioned risk.

The Applicant has guessed that this purpose can be accomplished by suitably modifying the fairlead.

Therefore, the present invention relates to a fairlead according to claim 1 ; preferred characteristics are given in the dependent claims. More specifically, the fairlead comprises a static part, intended to be stably fixed on a boat, and it is characterised in that it comprises a mobile part, guided in a mobile fashion with respect to the static part between at least two operative positions, a first position in which a rope is allowed to run freely in the fairlead and a second position in which a rope is held in the fairlead. Thanks to this fairlead, the manoeuvre with which the rope is disengaged from the winch and fixed to the bitt can be carried out without any fuss, after having taken the mobile part of the fairlead into its second operative position; indeed the rope remains held by the fairlead, and its part wound on the winch, which therefore is no longer under tension, can easily be disengaged and fixed to the bitt. All of the tension, including possibly jerking, is borne by the fairlead.

Moreover, in the second operative position, the rope is blocked, gripped between the static part and the mobile part of the fairlead. A blocking force therefore acts on the rope, deriving from the pressure exerted on it by the mobile part of the fairlead and totally independent from any possible traction stress to which the rope itself is subjected. Hence, advantageously, in order to unblock the rope, it is sufficient to reduce or remove the pressure exerted by the mobile part on the rope, in the direction of the static part, overcoming just possible friction between the two parts and not a force deriving from the traction stress on the rope itself. The fairlead can have manual or motorised actuation to move the mobile part with respect to the static part.

Preferably, the fairlead comprises motor means for moving the mobile part with respect to the static part. In this way, the sailor involved in moving the rope from the winch to the bitt is able to easily get the rope held in the fairlead.

Preferably, the motor means comprise a hydro-pneumatic actuation. It is thus possible to easily apply very large forces to the mobile part of the fairlead, thus ensuring that the rope is held securely even if it is large and under very high traction stresses.

Preferably, the static part comprises a plate intended to be fixed on a wall (deck, side, broadside or similar) of the boat and the mobile part comprises at least one column slidingly guided through the plate and provided with a respective laterally projecting head, wherein the rope is held between the head and the plate. This configuration is appreciated for its substantial simplicity, which means low construction and installation cost, high reliability and ease of actuation. The column can be substantially vertical or inclined, preferably towards the outside of the boat so as to make it easier to disengage the rope. In a preferred embodiment, the head is formed from a projecting peripheral edge, extending all around the column. In an alternative embodiment, the head is formed from an arm that projects laterally from the column, resulting in an L- shape of the assembly formed by column and head.

Preferably, said at least one column comprises two adjacent columns, mobile together between the respective operative positions, with the respective arms facing towards one another in said two operative positions. This configuration substantially takes up the classic C-shaped configuration of conventional fairleads, with the maximum versatility in relation to the directions of the rope.

In a preferred embodiment, in the two operative positions the two arms are spaced apart from one another, so as to leave a gap between them of sufficient size for the rope to pass through. In another embodiment, the two arms abut against one another, so as to leave at most a gap of insufficient size for the rope to pass through. In yet another embodiment, the two arms are fixedly connected to one another and - thereby - the respective columns are also fixedly connected, with formation of a portal structure.

Preferably, the mobile part can also take up a rest position, in which the head is at least partially withdrawn into a recessed seat formed in the plate. In this way, when the fairlead is not in use (like for example during navigation) its bulk is minimal or zero, so as not to constitute an obstacle to sailors and passengers. Preferably, the mobile part can also take up a third operative position of facilitated disengagement, in which the two arms are rotated away from one another. This third operative position proves useful when a rope must be disengaged from the fairlead: the rotation of the arms results in an extremely wide gap substantially without obstacles for the rope to pass through in the disengagement from the fairlead.

Preferably, the fairlead comprises at least one idle roll, positioned so that the rope runs over it during its movement in the fairlead. Even more preferably, the roll is mounted idle on said at least one column. The idle roll substantially reduces the friction between the rope and the fairlead during the running of the rope, thus reducing the wearing both of the fairlead and particularly of the rope.

In a preferred embodiment, the static part comprises an eyelet for the rope to pass through. In this case, the mobile part can comprise a bar or a thruster, transversally movable through the eyelet, or a ring, transversally movable through the eyelet, in which the rope passes through the ring. These embodiments show that the invention can also be advantageously applied to fairleads with a closed ring.

Preferably, the two columns are carried by the same auxiliary plate, a hydro- pneumatic jack being active between the plate and the auxiliary plate. In this way, it is ensured that the two columns are actuated simultaneously with a single jack.

Preferably, the fairlead comprises two sleeves fixedly mounted below the plate, wherein the columns are rotatably associated with the auxiliary plate and are guided in a mobile manner in the sleeves. In a preferred embodiment, between the columns and the sleeves a cam-type coupling is provided, to orient the arms differently according to whether the mobile part is in the first or second operative position or in the third operative position.

In another preferred embodiment, between the columns and the sleeves a cam- type coupling is provided, to orient the arms in a predetermined manner when the mobile part is in the first or second operative position, and to leave the arms free to rotate when the mobile part is in the third operative position.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become clearer from the following description of some preferred embodiments thereof, made with reference to the attached drawings. In such drawings: fig. 1 is a schematic view of a portion of boat with a fairlead according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention; - fig. 2 is a view of the fairlead of fig. 1 , isolated from the boat, in a rest position thereof; fig. 3 is a view of the fairlead of fig. 2, in a first operative position thereof; fig. 4 is a view of the fairlead of fig. 2, in a second operative position thereof; - fig. 5 is a view of the fairlead of fig. 2, in a third operative position thereof; fig. 6 is a schematic section view of a fairlead according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention; fig. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a fairlead according to a third preferred embodiment of the invention; - fig. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a fairlead according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the invention; fig. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a fairlead according to a fifth preferred embodiment of the invention; fig. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a fairlead according to a sixth preferred embodiment of the invention, in a first operative position; fig. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the fairlead of fig. 10, in a second operative position; fig. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a fairlead according to a seventh preferred embodiment of the invention, in a first operative position; - fig. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the fairlead of fig. 12, in a second operative position; fig. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a fairlead according to an eighth preferred embodiment of the invention; fig. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a fairlead according to a ninth preferred embodiment of the invention; fig. 16 is a view of a fairlead according to a tenth preferred embodiment of the invention, in a first operative position thereof; - fig. 17 is a view of the fairlead of fig. 16, in a second operative position thereof; fig. 18 is a view of a fairlead according to an eleventh preferred embodiment of the invention, in a first operative position thereof; fig. 19 is a view of the fairlead of fig. 18, in a second operative position thereof; and fig. 20 is a view of the fairlead of fig. 18, in a third operative position thereof.

Figure 1 schematically shows a part of a boat 1 being moored, with a winch 2 and a bitt 3 mounted on a wall of the boat 1 , for example a deck 4. A rope 5 is tightened between the winch 2 and a bitt on the land (not illustrated), passing through a fairlead 10 according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention.

The fairlead 10 comprises a static part 20, stably fixed on the deck 4 of the boat 1 , and a mobile part 30, guided in a mobile fashion with respect to the static part 20 between at least two operative positions: a first position, shown in figure 3, in which the rope 5 is allowed to run freely in the fairlead 10, and a second position, shown in figure 4, in which the rope 5 is held in the fairlead 10.

The fairlead 10 comprises motor means for moving the mobile part 30 with respect to the static part 20, for example a hydro-pneumatic jack 40.

The static part 20 comprises a plate 21 fixed substantially flush on the deck 4 of the boat 1 ; the plate 21 is provided with two sleeves 24 and 25 fixedly mounted below the plate 21. Below the plate 21 , in the deck 4 an opening is made (not visible in the drawings), to allow the sleeves 24 and 25 to be housed.

The mobile part 30 comprises an auxiliary plate 31 and two columns 32 and 33, rotatably carried by the auxiliary plate 31 and slidably guided in the sleeves 24 and 25 and through the plate 21. The hydro-pneumatic actuation jack 40 is mounted between the plate 21 and the auxiliary plate 31 , active for moving both of the columns 32, 33 in the respective sleeves 24, 25. For this purpose, the jack 40 is provided with a cylindrical body 41 mounted below the plate 21 and a piston 42 fixedly connected to the auxiliary plate 31. The columns 32, 33 are each provided with a respective laterally projecting head, formed from a respective arm 36, 37 that projects laterally from the column 32, 33, resulting in an L-shape of the assembly formed by each column with the respective head.

In the two operative positions, the two arms 36, 37 are facing towards one another, spaced apart from one another so as to leave a gap between them of sufficient size for the rope 5 to pass through. Between each column 32, 33 and the respective sleeve 24, 25 a cam-type coupling is provided, to guide the orientation of the arms 36, 37 according to the axial position of the columns 32, 33 in the sleeves 24, 25. In particular, the cam-type coupling is made with respective pins 28, 29, projecting inside the sleeves 24, 25 and in guiding engagement in respective grooves 38, 39 formed laterally in the columns 32, 33.

The configuration of the grooves 38, 39 results in the possibility of rotation of the columns 32, 33 about its own longitudinal axis, during the axial movement of the columns themselves carried out by the hydro-pneumatic jack 40, possibly in contrast to spring means (not illustrated).

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In particular, the mobile part 30 (and therefore the columns 32, 33) can also take up - in addition to said first and second operative position - a rest position, shown in figure 2, in which each head formed from the arm 36, 37 is at least partially withdrawn into a respective recessed seat 26, 27 formed in the plate 21 and open on the bottom to allow the column 32, 33 to pass. Furthermore, the mobile part 30 (and therefore the columns 32, 33) can also take up a third operative position, shown in fig. 5, in which the columns 32, 33 are raised beyond the first operative position. In this third raised position, the columns 32, 33 are free to rotate by a certain angle, as can be seen in fig. 5; it is thus easier to disengage the rope 5 from the fairlead 10. The operation of the fairlead 10 takes place in the following way.

In rest position (fig. 2), the fairlead 10 has a minimum bulk on the deck 4, since the arms 36, 37 of the mobile part 30 are lowered as much as possible in the respective seats 26, 27 formed in the plate 21 of the static part 20. In this position, the fairlead 10 is clearly not operative and presents minimal hindrance on the deck 4.

When it is necessary to use the fairlead 10, typically during a manoeuvre for bringing the boat up to a jetty, the mobile part 30 is raised and taken into its first operative position (fig. 3) by acting on the hydro-pneumatic jack 40 and the two arms 36 and 37 go into a position suitable for sliding engagement with the rope 5. The rope 5 is then wound on the winch 2, guided by the fairlead 10, and with the help of the winch 2 (as shown in fig. 1) is placed under traction so as to obtain the desired approach of the boat 1 to the jetty.

Once the desired position and traction have been reached, the rope 5 must be disengaged from the winch 2 and blocked on the bitt 3, so as to free the winch 2 for possible other uses. This step, which according to the prior art necessarily required a sailor to in some way manually keep the traction on the rope 5 while it is transferred from the winch 2 to the bitt 3, thanks to the invention can be carried out in the following way. First of all, the hydro-pneumatic jack 40 is actuated and with its action the mobile part 30 of the fairlead 10 is lowered on the static part 20, until the second operative position is reached (fig. 4). At this point one of the two arms 36, 37 presses on the rope 5. The rope 5 is thus blocked, gripped between the mobile part 30 (the arm 36 or 37) and the static part 20 (the plate 21) of the fairlead 10.

At this point, the rope 5 can be easily disengaged from the winch 2 and blocked on the bitt 3: its traction (towards land) is indeed maintained by the fairlead 10, without the sailor being exposed to strain or worse risks. Once the rope 5 has been blocked on the bitt 3, the fairlead 10 can be taken back into its first operative position (fig. 3) and thus left during mooring. It should be noted that in this step it is not necessary to overcome any force due to the possible traction stress to which the rope 5 is subjected; it is thus possible to easily take care of unblocking the rope 5 in the fairlead 10, even if the rope 5 is subjected to a very high traction stress due to the mooring operations. A possible other rope can be made to pass through the same fairlead 10, engaging it with the other of the arms 36, 37. The fairlead can also be used for this other rope for the operations just described. Indeed, the presence of the rope 5 is no hindrance to the aforementioned operations.

At the end of mooring, when the boat 1 must move away, the rope 5 will be disengaged from the bitt 3 and from the fairlead 10. In this step, therefore, it is advantageous for the fairlead 10 - still by acting on the hydro-pneumatic jack 40 - to be taken into its third operative position (fig. 5), in which the arms 36, 37 can rotate on their own axis, making it easier to disengage the rope 5. Finally, when the disengagement of the rope 5 is complete, the fairlead 10 can be taken back into its rest position (fig. 2).

A fairlead according to the invention can be made according to many other embodiments. Figures 6 to 13 show some embodiments, with some characteristics in common with the fairlead 10 of the first embodiment according to figures 1 to 5 and other different characteristics. They will be described hereafter, with particular reference to the different characteristics with respect to the fairlead 10. It should be understood that other embodiments can be made, which combine characteristics of one or more of the embodiments shown. Figure 6 shows a fairlead 110 according to a second embodiment of the invention. The fairlead 110 comprises a static part 120 intended to be mounted on a deck 104, at an opening 106, and a mobile part 130, guided in a mobile fashion with respect to the static part 120 between at least two operative positions: a first position, in which a rope can run freely in the fairlead 110, and a second position, in which the rope is held in the fairlead 110.

The fairlead 110 comprises motor means for moving the mobile part 130 with respect to the static part 120, for example a hydro-pneumatic jack 140.

The static part 120 comprises a plate 121 provided with a single sleeve 124. The mobile part 130 comprises an auxiliary plate 131 and a single column 132, rotatably carried by the auxiliary plate 131 and slidably guided in the sleeve 124 and through the plate 121. The hydro-pneumatic jack 140 is mounted between the plate 121 and the auxiliary plate 131 , active for moving the column 132 in the sleeve 124. The column 132 is provided with a laterally projecting head, formed from an arm 136 that projects laterally from the column 132, resulting in an L-shape of the assembly formed by the column with the respective head.

The blocking of the rope takes place by actuating the hydro-pneumatic jack 140 that with its action lowers the mobile part 130 of the fairlead 110 on the static part 120. Hence the arm 136 presses on the rope, which is thus blocked, gripped between the mobile part 130 (the arm 136) and the static part 120 (the plate 121) of the fairlead 110.

In practice, the fairlead 110 is a simplified version of the fairlead 10, equipped with a single column 132 instead of two columns 32, 33.

Figure 7 shows a fairlead 210 according to a third embodiment of the invention. The fairlead 210 comprises a static part 220 intended to be mounted on a deck 204, at an opening 206, and a mobile part 230, guided in a mobile fashion with respect to the static part 220 between at least two operative positions: a first position, in which a rope can run freely in the fairlead 210, and a second position, in which the rope is held in the fairlead 210. The fairlead 210 comprises motor means for moving the mobile part 230 with respect to the static part 220, for example a hydro-pneumatic jack 240.

The static part 220 comprises a plate 221 provided with two vertical fixed parallel columns 222 and 223, on which two respective idle rolls 224 and 225 are mounted. The mobile part 230 comprises a bar 231 hinged at one end to an eyelet 226 fixedly connected to the plate 221. The hydro-pneumatic jack 240 is mounted with its cylindrical body 241 beneath the plate 221 and its piston 242 projecting upwards, through the plate 221 , hinged at the other end of the bar 231. The bar 231 is thus angularly mobile - about the eyelet 226 - in a plane that is parallel but distinct from the plane of the two columns 222 and 223. The blocking of the rope takes place by actuating the hydro-pneumatic jack 240 that with its action lowers the bar 231 of the fairlead 210 on the static part 220. Hence the bar 231 presses on the rope, which is thus blocked, gripped between the mobile part 230 (the bar 231) and the static part 220 (the plate 221) of the fairlead 210. Figure 8 shows a fairlead 310 according to a fourth embodiment of the invention. The fairlead 310 comprises a static part 320 intended to be mounted on a deck 304, at an opening 306, and a mobile part 330, guided in a mobile fashion with respect to the static part 320 between at least two operative positions: a first position, in which a rope can run freely in the fairlead 310, and a second position, in which the rope is held in the fairlead 310.

The fairlead 310 comprises motor means for moving the mobile part 330 with respect to the static part 320, for example a hydro-pneumatic jack 340. The static part 320 comprises a plate 321 provided with two sleeves 324, 325. The mobile part 130 comprises an auxiliary plate 331 and two columns 332, 333, carried by the auxiliary plate 331 and slidably guided in the sleeves 324, 325 and through the plate 321. The hydro-pneumatic jack 340 is mounted between the plate 321 and the auxiliary plate 331 , active for moving the columns 332, 333 in the sleeves 324, 325. The columns 332, 333 are provided with a laterally projecting head, formed from a single arm 336 that connects together the two columns 332, 333, resulting in a portal configuration of the assembly formed by the columns with the respective head. The blocking of the rope takes place by actuating the hydro-pneumatic jack 340 that with its action lowers the mobile part 330 of the fairlead 310 on the static part 320. Hence the arm 336 presses on the rope, which is thus blocked, gripped between the mobile part 330 (the arm 336) and the static part 320 (the plate 321) of the fairlead 310. In practice, the fairlead 310 is a simplified version of the fairlead 10, equipped with two columns 332, 333 connected by a single arm 336 instead of two independent columns 32, 33.

Figure 9 shows a fairlead 410 according to a fifth embodiment of the invention. The fairlead 410 comprises a static part 420 intended to be mounted on a deck 404, at an opening 406, and a mobile part 430, guided in a mobile fashion with respect to the static part 420 between at least two operative positions: a first position, in which a rope can run freely in the fairlead 410, and a second position, in which the rope is held in the fairlead 410.

The fairlead 410 comprises motor means for moving the mobile part 430 with respect to the static part 420, for example a hydro-pneumatic jack 440.

The static part 420 comprises a plate 421 provided with two sleeves 424, 425. The mobile part 430 comprises an auxiliary plate 431 and two columns 432, 433 carried by the auxiliary plate 431 and slidably guided in the sleeves 424, 425 and through the plate 421. Each column 432, 433 is provided with a respective idle roll 434, 435. The hydro-pneumatic jack 440 is mounted between the plate 421 and the auxiliary plate 431 , active for moving the columns 432, 433 in the sleeves 424, 425. The columns 432, 433 are provided with a common head, formed from a single arm 436 that connects together the two columns 432, 433, resulting in a portal configuration of the assembly formed by the columns with the respective head.

The blocking of the rope takes place by actuating the hydro-pneumatic jack 440 that with its action lowers the mobile part 430 of the fairlead 410 on the static part 420. Hence the arm 436 presses on the rope, which is thus blocked, gripped between the mobile part 430 (the arm 436) and the static part 420 (the plate 421) of the fairlead 410.

In practice, the fairlead 410 is analogous to the fairlead 310, with the addition of the two idle rolls 434, 435, which promote the sliding of the rope during its traction. Figures 10 and 11 show a fairlead 510 according to a sixth embodiment of the invention. The fairlead 510 comprises a static part 520 intended to be mounted in a broadside 504, through an opening 506, and a mobile part 530, guided in a mobile fashion with respect to the static part 520 between at least two operative positions: a first position, in which a rope can run freely in the fairlead 510, and a second position, in which the rope is held in the fairlead 510.

The fairlead 510 comprises motor means for moving the mobile part 530 with respect to the static part 520, for example a hydro-pneumatic jack 540.

The static part 520 comprises an eyelet 521 fixed along the periphery of the opening 506 in the broadside 504. The mobile part 530 comprises a thruster 531 slidably guided through the eyelet 521. The hydro-pneumatic jack 540 is mounted in the broadside 504, with its cylindrical body 541 fixed with respect to the broadside 504 and its piston 542 carrying the thruster 531.

The blocking of the rope (fig. 10) takes place by actuating the hydro-pneumatic jack 540 that with its action moves the mobile part 530 of the fairlead 510 over the static part 520. Hence the thruster 531 presses on the rope, which is thus blocked, gripped between the mobile part 530 (the thruster 531) and the static part 520 (the eyelet 521) of the fairlead 510.

Figures 12 and 13 show a fairlead 610 according to a seventh embodiment of the invention. The fairlead 610 comprises a static part 620 intended to be mounted in a broadside 604, through an opening 606, and a mobile part 630, guided in a mobile fashion with respect to the static part 620 between at least two operative positions: a first position, in which a rope can run freely in the fairlead 610, and a second position, in which the rope is held in the fairlead 610.

The fairlead 610 comprises motor means for moving the mobile part 630 with respect to the static part 620, for example a hydro-pneumatic jack 640.

The static part 620 comprises an eyelet 621 fixed along the periphery of the opening 606 in the broadside 604. The mobile part 630 comprises a mobile ring 631 slidably guided through the eyelet 621. The hydro-pneumatic jack 640 is mounted in the broadside 604, with its cylindrical body 641 fixed with respect to the broadside 604 and its piston 642 carrying the mobile ring 631.

The blocking of the rope (fig. 12) takes place by actuating the hydro-pneumatic jack 640 that with its action moves the mobile part 630 of the fairlead 610 over the static part 620. Hence the mobile ring 631 presses on the rope, which is thus blocked, gripped between the mobile part 630 (the mobile ring 631) and the static part 620 (the eyelet 621) of the fairlead 610.

Figure 14 shows a fairlead 710 according to an eighth embodiment of the invention. The fairlead 710 comprises a static part 720 intended to be mounted in a broadside, through an opening 706, and a mobile part 730, guided in a mobile fashion with respect to the static part 720 between at least two operative positions: a first position, in which a rope can run freely in the fairlead 710, and a second position, in which the rope is held in the fairlead 710. The fairlead 710 comprises motor means for moving the mobile part 730 with respect to the static part 720, for example a pair of hydro-pneumatic jacks 740.

The static part 720 comprises an eyelet 721 fixed along the periphery of the opening 706 in the broadside. The mobile part 730 comprises a bar 731 guided through the eyelet 721. The hydro-pneumatic jacks 740 are mounted in the broadside, with the cylindrical body 741 fixed with respect to the broadside and the pistons 742 carrying the bar 731.

The blocking of the rope takes place by actuating the hydro-pneumatic jacks 740 that with their action move the mobile part 730 of the fairlead 710 over the static part 720. Hence the bar 731 presses on the rope, which is thus blocked, gripped between the mobile part 730 (the bar 731) and the static part 720 (the eyelet 721) of the fairlead 710.

Figure 15 shows a fairlead 810 according to a ninth embodiment of the invention. The fairlead 810 comprises a static part 820 intended to be mounted on a deck 804, at an opening 806, and a mobile part 830, guided in a mobile fashion with respect to the static part 820 between at least two operative positions: a first position, in which a rope can run freely in the fairlead 810, and a second position, in which the rope is held in the fairlead 810.

The fairlead 810 comprises motor means for moving the mobile part 830 with respect to the static part 820, for example a hydro-pneumatic jack 840.

The static part 820 comprises a plate 821. The mobile part 830 comprises a column 832, slidingly guided through the plate 821. The hydro-pneumatic jack 840 has its cylindrical body 841 mounted beneath the plate 821 and its piston 842 carrying the column 832. The column 832 is provided with a laterally projecting head, formed from a projecting peripheral edge 836, extending all around the column 832.

The blocking of the rope takes place by actuating the hydro-pneumatic jack 840 that with its action lowers the mobile part 830 of the fairlead 810 on the static part 820. Hence the edge 836 presses on the rope, which is thus blocked, gripped between the mobile part 830 (the edge 836) and the static part 820 (the plate 821) of the fairlead 810.

Figures 16 and 17 show a fairlead 910 according to a tenth embodiment of the invention. The fairlead 910 is very similar to the fairlead 10; its parts corresponding to the analogous parts of the fairlead 10 are identified in the figure with the same reference numeral, increased by 900, and they are not described hereafter. The difference between the fairlead 910 and the fairlead 10 is in the arms 936 and 937, which are longer than the arms 36 and 37 and are oriented differently. As can be seen in the figures, the two arms 936 and 937 are oriented parallel to one another, spaced apart by a distance sufficient for the rope to pass through. Also in this fairlead 910 it is possible to provide a rest position, with the arms 936 and 937 partially or completely built-in, as well as a third operative position of disengagement, with the arms 936 and 937 completely raised and oriented so as to make it easier to disengage the rope, or else free to rotate.

Figures 18 to 20 show a fairlead 1010 according to an eleventh embodiment of the invention. The fairlead 1010 is very similar to the fairlead 10; its parts corresponding to the analogous parts of the fairlead 10 are identified in the figures by the same reference numeral, increased by 1000, and are not described hereafter. The difference between the fairlead 1010 and the fairlead 10 is in the arms 1036 and 1037, which are longer than the arms 36 and 37, and the fact that in the plate 1021 of the static part 1020 a single recessed seat 1026 is provided, suitable for receiving the two arms 1036, 1037 in the rest position of the fairlead 1010. As can be seen in the figures, the two arms 1036 and 1037 are facing towards one another, abutting one another, so as to leave at most a gap of insufficient size for the rope 1005 to pass through. Also in this fairlead 1010 it is possible to provide a rest position, with the arms 1036 and 1037 partially or completely built-in, as well as a third operative position of disengagement, with the arms 1036 and 1037 completely raised and oriented so as to make it easier to disengage the rope, or free to rotate.

Of course, a man skilled in the art can bring modifications or improvements to a fairlead according to what has been described. For example, it can be provided for the surfaces of the mobile and static parts that come into contact with the rope to hold it to be made with a material having a hardness and abrasiveness similar to that of the ropes for which the fairlead is intended, so as to limit phenomena of wearing of the ropes themselves.

Furthermore, the solutions described with reference to one of the variants can also be adopted on other variants. For example, rolls such as the rolls 224, 225 of the fairlead 210 and 434, 435 of the fairlead 410 can easily be adopted in the fairleads 10, 110, 310, 810, 910 and 1010.

Claims

1. Fairlead for nautical use, comprising a static part (20; 120; 220; 320; 420; 520; 620; 720; 820; 920; 1020), intended to be stably fixed on a boat (1), characterised in that it comprises a mobile part (30; 130; 230; 330; 430; 530; 630; 730; 830; 930; 1030), guided in a mobile fashion with respect to the static part (20; 120; 220; 320; 420; 520; 620; 720; 820; 920; 1020) between at least two operative positions, a first position in which a rope (5) is allowed to run freely in the fairlead (10; 110; 210; 310; 410; 510; 610; 710; 810; 910; 1010) and a second position in which a rope (5) in the fairlead (10; 110; 210; 310; 410; 510; 610; 710; 810; 910; 1010) is blocked, gripped between the mobile part (30; 130; 230; 330; 430; 530; 630; 730; 830; 930; 1030) and the static part (20; 120; 220; 320; 420; 520; 620; 720; 820; 920; 1020).

2. Fairlead according to claim 1 , comprising motor means (40; 140; 240; 340; 440; 540; 640; 740; 840; 940) for moving the mobile part (30; 130; 230; 330; 430; 530; 630; 730; 830; 930) with respect to the static part (20; 120; 220; 320; 420; 520; 620; 720; 820; 920).

3. Fairlead according to claim 2, wherein the motor means comprise a hydro- pneumatic jack (40; 140; 240; 340; 440; 540; 640; 740; 840; 940; 1040).

4. Fairlead according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the static part (20; 120; 320; 420; 820; 920; 1020) comprises a plate (21 ; 121 ; 321 ; 421 ; 821 ; 921 ;

1021) intended to be fixed on a wall (4; 104; 304; 404; 804; 904; 1040) of the boat (1) and the mobile part (30; 130; 330; 430; 830; 930; 1030) comprises at least a column (32, 33; 132; 332, 333; 432, 433; 832; 932, 933; 1032, 1033) slidingly guided through the plate (21 ; 121 ; 321 ; 421 ; 821 ; 921 ; 1021) and provided with a respective laterally projecting head (36, 37; 136; 336; 436; 836; 936, 937; 1036, 1037), wherein the rope (5) is held between the head (36, 37; 136; 336; 436; 836; 936, 937; 1036, 1037) and the plate (21 ; 121 ; 321 ; 421 ; 821 ; 921 ; 1021).

5. Fairlead according to claim 4, wherein the head is formed from a projecting peripheral edge (836), extending all around the column (832).

6. Fairlead according to claim 4, wherein the head is formed from an arm (36, 37; 136; 336; 436; 936, 937; 1036, 1037) that projects laterally from the column (32, 33; 132; 332, 333; 432, 433; 932, 933; 1032, 1033), resulting in an L-shape of the assembly formed by column and head.

7. Fairlead according to claim 6, wherein said at least a column comprises two adjacent columns (32, 33; 932, 933; 1032, 1033), mobile together between the respective operative positions, with the respective arms (36, 37; 936, 937; 1036, 1037) facing towards one another in said two operative positions.

8. Fairlead according to claim 7, wherein - in the two operative positions - the two arms (36, 37; 936, 937) are spaced apart from one another, so as to leave a gap between them of sufficient size for the rope (5) to pass through.

9. Fairlead according to claim 7, wherein - in the two operative positions - the two arms (1036, 1037) abut against one another, so as to leave at most a gap of insufficient size for the rope (5) to pass through.

10. Fairlead according to claim 9, wherein the two arms (336; 436) are fixedly connected to one another and -thereby - the respective columns (332, 333; 432, 433) are also fixedly connected, with formation of a portal structure.

11. Fairlead according to any one of claims 4 to 10, wherein the mobile part (30; 1030) can also take up a rest position, in which the head (36, 37; 936, 937;

1036, 1037) is at least partially withdrawn into a recessed seat (26, 27; 926, 927; 1026) formed in the plate (21 ; 921 ; 1021).

12. Fairlead according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the mobile part (30; 930; 1030) can also take up a third operative position of facilitated disengagement, in which the two arms (36, 37; 936, 937; 1036, 1037) are rotated away from one another.

13. Fairlead according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising at least one idle roll (224, 225; 434, 435), positioned so that the rope (5) runs over it during its movement in the fairlead (210; 410).

14. Fairlead according to any one of claims 4 to 12, comprising at least a roll (424, 425), mounted idle on said at least a column (432, 433) so that the rope (5) runs over it during its movement with respect to the fairlead (410).

15. Fairlead according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the static part (520; 620; 720) comprises an eyelet (521 ; 621 ; 721) for the rope (5) to pass through.

16. Fairlead according to claim 15, wherein the mobile part (730) comprises a bar (731), transversally movable with respect to the eyelet (721).

17. Fairlead according to claim 15, wherein the mobile part (530) comprises a thruster (531), transversally movable with respect to the eyelet (521).

18. Fairlead according to claim 15, wherein the mobile part (630) comprises a ring (631), transversally movable with respect to the eyelet (621), wherein the rope (5) passes through the ring (631).

19. Fairlead according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the two columns (32, 33; 332, 333; 432, 433; 932, 933; 1032, 1033) are carried by a same auxiliary plate (31 ; 331 ; 431 ; 931 ; 1031), a hydro-pneumatic jack (40; 340; 440; 940; 1040) being active between the plate (21 ; 321 ; 421 ; 921 ; 1021) and the auxiliary plate (31 ; 331 ; 431 ; 931 ; 1031).

20. Fairlead according to claim 19, comprising two sleeves (24, 25; 324, 325; 424, 425; 924, 925; 1024, 1025) fixedly mounted below the plate (21 ; 321 ; 421 ; 921 ; 1021), wherein the columns (32, 33; 332, 333; 432, 433; 932, 933; 1032, 1033) are rotatably associated to the auxiliary plate (31 ; 331 ; 431 ; 931 ; 1031) and are guided in a mobile fashion in the sleeves (24, 25; 324, 325; 424, 425; 924, 925; 1024, 1025).

21. Fairlead according to claims 12 and 19, wherein between the columns (32, 33; 932, 933; 1032, 1033) and the sleeves (24, 25; 924, 925; 1024, 1025) a cam-type coupling is provided, to orient the arms (36, 37; 936, 937; 1036, 1037) differently according to whether the mobile part (30; 930; 1030) is in the first or second operative position or else in the third operative position.

22. Fairlead according to claims 12 and 19, wherein between the columns (32, 33; 932, 933; 1032, 1033) and the sleeves (24, 25; 924, 925; 1024, 1025) a cam-type coupling is provided, to orient the arms (36, 37; 936, 937; 1036, 1037) in a predetermined manner when the mobile part (30; 930; 1030) is in the first or in the second operative position, and to leave the arms (36, 37; 936, 937; 1036, 1037) free to rotate when the mobile part (30; 930; 1030) is in the third operative position.

23. Fairlead according to claim 1 , wherein said rope (5) is held, gripped between the mobile part (30; 130; 230; 330; 430; 530; 630; 730; 830; 930;

1030) and the static part (20; 120; 220; 320; 420; 520; 620; 720; 820; 920; 1020) with a force independent from any possible traction stress to which the rope itself is subjected.