GB2273269A

GB2273269A - Stowing means for stowing marine fenders

Info

Publication number: GB2273269A
Application number: GB9225663A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Edward David Webster Fulbrook; Richard Alan Heath
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-12-08
Filing date: 1992-12-08
Publication date: 1994-06-15
Also published as: GB9225663D0

Abstract

A stowing means 1 for stowing marine fenders includes a slat 2 provided at each end with an elasticated cord 8, 10, the cords in use being secured to guard wires 22 extending around the perimeter of a boat deck. When it is desired to stow a fender 30 the slat 2 is pulled away from its park position in the plane of the wires and the fender located behind the slat which is resiliently pulled towards the wires, thereby trapping the fender in a stowed position. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO STOWING MEANS This invention concerns improvements in or relating to stowing means.

In particular, but not exclusively, the present invention has reference to stowing means for use on marine or other waterborne vessels or craft for stowing equipment when not in use.

For example, marine fenders are used only for mooring or when craft are in, or are likely to come into, close proximity to other craft or to landing stages, especially when in port, but when sailing the fenders have to be or should be stowed as a matter of safety and convenience. The fenders are usually tied onto the guard rails or wires of the vessels or craft and hang over the side thereof in order to provide a protecting buffer when coming alongside other vessels or berthing. Depending on the nature of the vessels or craft, the frequency of use can vary considerably. For example, on pleasure craft, the fenders can be in use frequently thereby requiring cyclical functional disposition over the side of the craft and stowing.

On many craft, when not in use fenders are either removed from their location or are merely brought in board and laid on the deck or in the gunwales. In other vessels, a rack for the fenders can be provided or the fenders are stowed away remote from their functional location. A conventional rack for stowing the fenders is usually a rigid structure attached to the guard rails or wires and thus protrudes in a permanent manner over the side or inboard of the vessel. Furthermore, the rack tends to be expensive, generally being constructed of aesthetically attractive materials such as chrome plated steel.

An object of the present invention is to provide stowing means which is easily affixed in their operative position, is simple to use and is not consumptive of space when not in use.

According to the invention a stowing means includes a retaining member provided with at least one resilient attachment element, in use the retaining member and the attachment element being capable of assuming stowing and non-stowing positions by virtue of the resilience of the attachment element.

Conveniently, the retaining member is rigid and the at least one resilient attachment element is in the form of an elasticated cord. The or each cord is preferably attached to the retaining member and may be adjustably attached thereto. Advantageously, two cords are provided for the retaining member which may be in the form of a bar or slat. The bar or slat may be of any suitable material, for example wood, metal or plastics, and may be rectilinear in form or aesthetically shaped.

By way of example only, one embodiment of stowing means according to the present invention is described below with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which: Figure 1 is a front elevation; Figure 2 is a side elevation; and Figure 3 is a front elevation of the stowing means in an operational position.

Referring first to Figures 1 and 2, stowing means is shown generally at 1 and includes a retaining member in the form of a rigid slat 2 which may be of wood. The slat 2 is provided with two holes 4, 6 therethrough adjacent each of its ends.

Resilient attachment elements in the form of elasticated cords 8, 10 are looped and the ends 12, 14 thereof respectively extend through the holes 4, 6, each cord thus having two free ends on the same side of the slat. A bar 16 extends through the looped ends 12, 14 to attach the cords to the slat 2 and also affords a measure of adjustability. In this respect, the dimension of the holes 4,6 is such that the projection therethrough of the looped ends 12, 14 results in a tight fit with frictional resistance to movement, the bar 16 preventing any slippage which might occur.

Referring now to Figure 3, the stowing means 1 is shown in this example in an operational position with the free ends of the cords 8 securely tied onto guard wires 22 which are disposed around the deck (not shown) of a waterborne craft and which are supported by stanchions 20. The fixing of the cords 8 to the guard wires 22 is by means of a clove hitch which is the most effective and which is schematically shown at 24. In order to stow a fender 30 using the stowing means of the present invention, the slat 2 is pulled out against the resilience of the cords 8 from its non-operational position lying substantially in the plane of the guard wires 22, thereby to define a stowing area between the slat 2, the cords 8 and the wires 22. The fender 30 is located within this area and the slat 2 is then allowed to clamp the fender 30 by virtue of the elasticity in the cords 8.The fender 30 is thus positively stowed alongside the guard wires 22 ready for reuse when required. In this connection, the fender 30 is removed therefrom merely by reversing the above procedure, the stowing means then reassuming a non-operational and non-intrusive position in the plane of the guard wires 22.

The present invention thus provides a simple yet effective means for stowing items of equipment, particularly, although not exclusively, equipment associated with marine or waterborne craft. The stowing means of the invention can advantageously be employed for stowing fenders, but may also be used for other purposes on board for stowing other items of equipment in a positive and safe manner.

It is to be understood that the retaining member may be of any suitable material and that any appropriate method of attachment of the cords thereto may be used.

It is to be further understood that the present invention may find application in other fields and therefore the description of its use in marine applications is not to be regarded as limiting.

Claims

1. A stowing means including a retaining member provided with at least one resilient attachment element, in use the retaining member and the attachment element being capable of assuming stowing and non-stowing positions by virtue of the resilience of the attachment element.

2. A stowing means according to Claim 1 in which the retaining member is rigid and the at least one resilient attachment element is in the form of an elasticated cord.

3. A stowing means ,according to Claim 2 in which the or each cord is attached to the retaining member.

4. A stowing means according to Claim 2 or 3 in which the or each cord is adjustably attached to the retaining member.

5. A stowing means according to any one of the preceding claims 2 to 4 in which two cords are provided one at or adjacent each end of the retaining member.

6. A stowing means according to Claim 5 in which the retaining member is provided with two holes through which a respective one of the cords is threaded in loop form, and a locking bar is provided for' extension through the loops thereby to lock the cords to the retaining member.

7. A stowing means according to any one of the preceding claims in which the retaining means is in the form of a slat.

8. A stowing means substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.