GB2119720A

GB2119720A - Removable boat fitting

Info

Publication number: GB2119720A
Application number: GB08311664A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Anthony Phinn
Original assignee: STAINLESS W S FIXINGS
Current assignee: STAINLESS W S FIXINGS
Priority date: 1982-05-04
Filing date: 1983-04-28
Publication date: 1983-11-23
Also published as: GB8311664D0

Abstract

The fitting is capable of being secured to the deck or other surface of a boat, for example a cleat, fairlead, fishing rod holder, boat hook eye, winch or capstan. So that the deck can be less cluttered, and so that the fitting can be positioned where required, it comprises a socket element (10) recessed into the deck and a plug part (12) for socket entry against a spring 26. The plug has a turnkey lateral protrusion 20 for locking in a socket lateral groove, or a cross-pin which locates under a top plate of the socket. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Boat and ship fittings The invention relates to boat and ship fittings, that is to say to those fittings projecting from the deck of a boat or ship or in fact from surfaces other than the deck.

Boats, Yachts and ships are invariably provided with a number of fittings upstanding from the deck, for example cleats for the attachment of ropes, fairleads, housers, chains, winches, capstans and other items all of which are invariably bolted down in fixed positions. The result is that such items are often not located in the ideal position and in addition the deck may appear to be cluttered with such items of equipment not presently in use. The object of the invention is to at least alleviate these present difficulties.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided an item of equipment for a boat, yacht or ship comprising a socket element capable of being recessed into the deck or other surface and an operative part capable of being plugged into said socket element or removed therefrom when not required. Preferably, the socket element will not be provided with a flanged outer end capable of being flush fitted into the deck or other surface or of being secured thereon either by screws or bolts. A plug portion of the operative part may be formed with a projecting detent member having.

"turnkey" end capable of being passed through a retaining plate in the socket element and turned relative to said retaining plate so that said operative part can be held captive thereby. Alternatively, the plug portion of the operative part may have a diametrically extending pin projecting from its opposite sides; in this case, a top plate of the socket element will be provided with a pair of oppositely disposed slots through which the projecting parts of the pin can be passed when the operative part is being entered into the socket element, the operative part then being turned through a right angle for the projecting parts of the pin to abut against the underside of said top plate.

In order that the invention may be fully understood and readily carried into effect, the same will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Fig. 1 is a part-sectional view of an item of equipment embodying the invention, for use on a small boat or yacht, Fig. 2 is a plan view of a socket part thereof, Fig. 3 is a scrap sectional view on the line 3-3 in Fig. 1,and Figs. 4 and 5 are views similar to Figs. 1 and 2 which will be referred to when describing possible modifications.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, the item of equipment there illustrated comprises a socket element generally indicated 10, capable of being recessed as shown into the deck of a small boat or yacht, and an operative part generally indicated 12 (in this case a belaying cleat) which is capable of being plugged into said socket element. As shown, the socket element is provided with oppositely disposed flanges 14 at an outer end of the socket, said flanges being provided with screw holes. The arrangement is such that the socket element can be screwed down almost flush with the deck of the boat to which it is fitted (and could of course be screwed down quite flush with the deck if the latter was recessed for the reception of the flanges 14).

A plug portion 1 6 of the operative part 12 is provided with a projecting detent member 1 8 having a "turnkey" end 20 capable of being passed through an aperture 22 in a retaining plate formation 24 which is formed integraily within the socket element. The underside of the retaining plate is shown in Fig. 3 to be provided with a transverse wedge shaped slot 28 and the "turnkey" end 20 which is of similar wedge shape can be engaged with this when the operative part has been turned through a right angle.

Immediately beneath the retaining plate formation there is located a plain washer 25 which is slidably located in the socket element, said washer being urged upwardly by means of a spring 26. A lower end of the spring, which is of spiral form as shown, engages an upstanding register of a screwthreaded plug element 27 which closes the iower end of the socket element 10. The arrangement is such that when the plug portion of the operative part is being entered into the socket element, the projecting detent member is passed through the retaining plate formation, displacing the washer 25 downwards against the force of the spring 26, and then turned relative thereto so that the operative part is held captive in the socket element with the "turnkey" end of the detent member in engagement with the slot 28.

It will be understood that a boat or yacht may be provided along each side omits deck with a plurality of the socket elements 10 but that relatively few of the cleats, that is to say the operative parts 12, will be used at any time because thay can be plugged into position where required and can be removed when not in use.

Consequently, the deck can be relatively free of obstructions so that not oniy does it have an improved general appearance but is safer than usual since it has fewer obstructions which can be tripped over. It will also be understood that the operative part of the equipment need not necessarily be a cleat; it could for example be a fairlead, a fishing rod holder, a boat hook eye (that is to say an eye bolt) or in fact any other item of equipment normally mounted on the deck of a boat or yacht.

Various modifications may be made to the socket element and to the co-operating plug portion of the operative part. For example, referring to Figs. 4 and 5, it will be seen that the plug portion of the operative part (which is again shown to be a cleat) has been modified so that instead of having an axially projecting detent member it has a diametrically extending pin 30 which projects from opposite sides of said plug portion. When the operative part of the item of equipment is being entered into the socket element the projecting portions of the pin 30 can be passed through the oppositely disposed slots 32 in the top plate of the socket element; when the operative part has then been turned through a right angle the projecting parts of the pin abut against the underside of said top plate as shown in Fig. 4. It will be seen that in this case the slotted retaining plate has been replaced by a plain bearing member 34 fixed in the socket element. As in the previously described embodiment, the spring loaded washer 25 acts to urge the plug portion of the operative part upwards.

It will be understood that the item of equipment concerned may be for an ocean going ship and not merely for a small boat or yacht, for example an item of equipment such as a winch or capstan. It will also be understood that the item of equipment need not necessarily be intended for deck mounting but could be capable of being secured to any other surface.

Claims

1. An item of equipment for a boat, yacht or ship comprising a socket element capable of being recessed into the deck or other surface and an operative part capable of being plugged into said socket element or removed therefrom when not required.

2. An item of equipment according to claim 1, in which the socket element is provided with a flanged outer end capable of being flush fitted into the deck or other surface or of being secured thereon.

3. An item of equipment according to either one of the preceding claims, in which a plug portion of the operative part is formed with a projecting detent member having a "turnkey" end capable of being passed through a retaining plate in the socket element and turned relative to said retaining plate so that said operative part can be held captive thereby.

4. An item of equipment according to claim 3, in which the plug portion of the operative part has a diametrically extending pin projecting from its operative sides and in which a top plate of the socket element is provided with a pair of oppositely disposed slots through which the projecting parts of the pin can be passed when the operative part is being entered into the socket element, the operative part then being turned through a right angle for the projecting parts of the pin to abut against the underside of said top plate of the socket element.

5. An item of equipment constructed, arranged and adapted to be used substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to and as illustrated by Figs. 1 to 3 or Figs. 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings.