GB2374114A

GB2374114A - Retractable mooring cleat

Info

Publication number: GB2374114A
Application number: GB0104625A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Fred Alan James
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-02-26
Filing date: 2001-02-26
Publication date: 2002-10-09
Anticipated expiration: 2021-02-26
Also published as: GB0104625D0; GB2374114B

Abstract

A mooring cleat with arms which retract into the cleat body, so that it forms a clean domed shape that will not snag ropes when retracted and that is shaped and sprung-loaded to provide a strong and secure cleat that will not chafe ropes when in use. The two arms are linked mechanically to rise and fall simultaneously and incorporate a compression spring which causes them to remain in the raised or lowered position as placed. The cleat is comprised of a cast and slotted body 1, a forked arm 2, a tennoned arm,3, two pivot pins 4, a link pin 5, a plunger 6, a spring 7, and four fixing-down bolts 8.

Description

RETRACTABLE MOORING CLEAT This invention relates to a retractable mooring cleat.

Yachts are normally fitted with cleats on the foredeck, side deck and stern deck to facilitate effective mooring alongside a dock or pontoon.

When the yacht is sailing, the arms of a standard cleat present a potential hazard by ensnaring the various ropes (known as sheets and halyards) used to control the sails or by catching the feet or clothing of crew members as they move about the decks.

The present invention of a retractable mooring cleat, comprising a cast and machined body which is slotted longitudinally to carry two pivoted and mechanically-linked arms which, when lowered conform to the profile of the upper surface of the body, presenting a smooth snag-free shape, and when raised provide two projections round which a mooring rope may be fastened without chafe ; the arms incorporating a compression spring which causes them to remain in the raised or lowered position as placed.

A specific embodyment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which : Figure 1 shows a cross-section of the cleat with arms raised; Figure 2 shows a cross-section of the cleat with arms lowered ; Figure 3 shows a plan of the cleat with arms lowered ; Figure 4 shows an isometric of the cleat with arms lowered ; Figure 5 shows an isometric of the cleat with arms raised.

Referring to the drawing, the cleat comprises a body 1, In the form of a machined casting, a forked arm 2, a tennoned arm 3, two pivot pins 4, a link pin 5, a plunger 6, a spring 7 and four fixing-down bolts 8.

The link pin 5 passes through holes in the arm 2, slots in arm 3 and the hole in the plunger 6 causing the two arms to be raised or lowered In unison; expansion of the spring in the fully-raised or lowered state retains the arms as manually placed.

When a mooring rope IS secured around the raised arms, they become locked In the raised position by the rope, with mooring loads transferred to the yacht deck via the pivot pins 4, the side cheeks and base of the body 1 and the fixing bolts 8 When in the raised position, the lower profiles of the arms are flush with the cleat body to prevent chafe to the mooring rope at position'A'. The position of the bolt heads at the ends of the pivot pins means that all parts of the assembled cleat are self-retained.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A retractable mooring cleat, comprising a cast and machined body which is slotted longitudinally to carry two pivoted and mechanically-linked arms which, when lowered conform to the profile of the upper surface of the body, presenting a smooth snag-free shape, and when raised provide two projections round which a mooring rope may be fastened without chafe; the arms incorporating a compression spring which causes them to remain in the raised or lowered position as placed
2. A retractable mooring cleat, as claimed in Claim 1, in which the ends of the arms are slotted and tennoned together and provided with a connecting pin causing the two arms to be raised and lowered in unison.
3. A retractable mooring cleat, as claimed in Claims 1 and 2, wherein the tennoned arm is slotted and bored to allow the connecting pin to pass through a plunger which actuates a spring, causing the two arms to be retained in the fullyraised or fully-lowered positions.
4. A retractable mooring cleat, as claimed in Claims 1,2 and 3, wherein the loads of the mooring rope, causing the arms to lift, are transferred to the cleat body by the pivot pins and the shape of the inner ends of the arms which bear down on the suitably dimensioned webb between the side cheeks of the cleat body casting
5. A retractable mooring cleat, as claimed in Claims 1,2, 3 and 4, wherein the profile of the two arms, when in the raised position, protects the rope which would otherwise be chafed where it passes over the slotted ends of the body.
6 A retractable mooring eleat, as claimed In Claims 1-5 inclusive, wherein the profile of the the two arms, when In the lowered position, act as stops on the slotted cleat base so that the upper profile of the arms conforms to the upper surface of the cleat body.
7. A retractable mooring cleat, as claimed In Claims 1-6 inclusive, wherein the position of the mounting bold heads makes all other parts selfretained.
8. A retractable mooring cleat, as claimed in Claims 1-7 inclusive, wherein with retracted arms the whole assembly forms a clean domed profile which would not snag ropes or clothing.
9. A retractable mooring cleat, as claimed In Claims 1-8 inclusive, wherein the sideloads imposed on the arms, when the cleat is in use, are transferred to the yacht deck by the shaped sides of the cleat body.
10. A retractable mooring cleat, substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1-5 of the accompanying drawings.