US3677214A - Jam cleat - Google Patents

Abstract

A jam cleat for use on sailboats and the like has a base adapted to be secured to a desired support surface. The base has an upper surface and a side wall perpendicular to the upper surface. A line-engaging member is mounted adjacent the base side wall and is pivotable in a first plane parallel to the base upper surface as well as in a second plane normal to the first plane. The relationship is such that as the axial load on a line loaded into the cleat between the line-engaging member and the adjacent side wall is increased, the line-engaging member is correspondingly pivoted in the first plane to jam the line in the cleat, whereas the line-engaging member is pivoted in the second plane when the line is removed from the cleat.

Description

United States Patent [151 3,677,214 1 July 18, 1972 Bernstein ['54] JAM CLEAT [72] Inventor: Robert .I. Bernsteln, 764 Judson, Highland Park, 111. 60035 [22] Filed: Dec. 4, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 95,049

Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 22,750, March 26,

- 1970, abandoned.

{52] U.S. Cl. ..ll4/218, 24/132 R [51] Int. Cl ..B63b 21/04 [58] Field ofSearch ..ll4/218;24/132 R, 132 CL, 24/132 VA, 132 AA, 132 AT, 255, 257; 188/651, 65.2

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,736,290 11/1929 Schifi ..24/l32 991,486 5/1911 Davis Primary Examiner-Milton Buchler Assistant Examiner-Gregory W. OConnor [57] ABSTRACT A jam cleat for use on sailboats and the like has a base adapted to be secured to a desired support surface. The base has an upper surface and a side wall perpendicular to the upper surface. A line-engaging member is mounted adjacent the base side wall and is pivotable in a first plane parallel to the base upper surface as well as in a second plane normal to the first plane. The relationship is such that as the axial load on a line loaded into the cleat between the line-engaging member and the adjacent side wall is increased, the line-engaging member is correspondingly pivoted in the first plane to jam the line in the cleat, whereas the line-engaging member is pivoted in the second plane when the line is removed from the cleat.

6Clalns,5Drawingl igures Patented July 18, 1972 3,677,214

INVENTOR. fioaseru. BFPA/JT'W JAM CLEAT CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to line snubbing devices, and more specifically, to jam cleats for use on sailboats, for example.

2. Description of the Prior Art Line snubbing devices adapted for controlling the sheet of the mainsail or other sails of a sailboat are commonly referred to as jam cleats. As used herein, a sheet is defined as a line that regulates the angle at which a sail is set in relation to the wind. It will be understood, however, that sheets are not the only lines on a sailboat with which jam cleats may be used. Also, the present jam cleat may be used in applications different from sailboats.

A common type of jam cleat is shown in FIG. 2 of U. S. Pat. No. 3,046,929 issued to A. Piver on July 31, 1962. Such jam cleat contains a pair of juxtaposed pivotable cam members mounted on a base member. A passage is defined between the cam members for receipt therein of a portion of the length of a sheet or other line to be secured. The cam members normally are spaced apart, at their closest adjacent points, a distance less than the diameter of a desired sheet, so that a sheet may be wedged between the cam members. Application of a force on a sheet disposed between the cam members, in the direction toward which the sheet is to be held from movement, tends to pull the cam members toward each other about their pivot points. Thus, the application of such force causes the cam members to grip the sheet more securely and the greater the force the more tightly the cams grip the sheet. On the other hand, a force exerted in the opposite direction necessarily forces the cam members apart, thus allowing the free movement of the line in the direction of such opposite force.

The principle disclosed in the Piver patent is common to all known jam cleats; i.e., a force on the sheet in one direction causes the cleat to further grip and stay movement of the sheet in the direction of such force, whereas a force in the opposite direction causes the cleat's grip to relax thereby allowing movement of the sheet in the direction of such opposite force. Further inherent in the nature of most jam cleats designed with a load capacity substantially less than 100 pounds is the ability to move a sheet or line laterally into and out of the passage defined between the pair of cleat members; this ability is a particularly desirable feature of jam cleats since they must be loaded and unloaded rapidly under conditions in which line threading operations are not possible or desirable.

Existing jam cleats designed with a load capacity in excess of 100 pounds, whether of the cam-type as disclosed in the Piver patent, or of other conventional configurations, do not provide an effective line unloading or releasing capability. More specifically, the greater the load capacity of the cleat, the harder it is to unload a line and, in addition, to trim the line when in the cleat. This is so since the line-engaging members, e.g., the pair of cams in the Piver patent, are pivotable in only one plane, i.e., in a plane parallel to the cleat support base. Thus, if a line having a force in excess of 100 pounds is received within the Piver jam cleat, the strong gripping characteristics of the cam members in a plane parallel to the cleat support base make removal of the line extremely difficult. This is so since the line must be first pulled in a direction opposite to the direction of load thereon so as to pivot the cam members out of engagement with the line thereby freeing its movement in a plane normal to the cleat support base so it may be unloaded or trimmed.

It is desirable to provide a jam cleat having a load capacity in excess of 100 pounds which enables the essentially free removability and/or trimming of a line engaged within the cleat.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The line removal capability of the cleat according to the present invention is essentially independent of the load on the line. In accordance with the present invention, a line engaged within a cleat can be removed or trimmed merely by moving the line upwardly in a plane normal to the plane of the support base without having to first overcome the load force to disen gage the line from line-engaging member. This is made possible since the line-engaging member is pivotal not only in a plane parallel to the support base, as is characteristic in jam cleats of the past, but also in a base.

Generally speaking, the invention comprises a jam cleat having a base adapted to be secured to a desired support surface. The base has an upper surface and a side wall substantially perpendicular to the upper surface. A line-engaging member is mounted adjacent the base side wall and is pivotable in a first plane parallel to the base upper surface as well as in a second plane normal to the first plane. The relationship is such that as the axial load on a line loaded into the cleat is varied, the line-engaging member is correspondingly pivoted in the first plane to wedge the line between the line-engaging member and the side wall, whereas the line-engaging member is pivoted in the second plane when the line is removed from the cleat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING These and other aspects and advantages of the present invention are more clearly described with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional plan view of a jam cleat according to the present invention taken along lines l-l in FIG. 2;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional elevation view of the jam cleat taken along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1 with a line under load engaged within the cleat;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional elevation view of the cleat and line of FIG. 3 taken along lines 4-4; and

FIG. 5 is a view similar to that of FIG. 4 showing the existing condition during removal of the line from the cleat.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A jam cleat 10 in accordance with the present invention is shown in FIGS. l-5. The cleat is formed by two major parts: (I) a base 12 including an essentially planar upper surface 14 and a side wall 16 perpendicular with the upper surface; and (2) a line-engaging member 26 mounted adjacent base side wall 16 in a manner more fully described below. The cleat also includes a block member 18 having a lower surface 20, a side wall 22 extending upwardly from lower surface 20 and normal thereto, and a flange 24 extending laterally from the upper extent of side wall 22 toward but not to wall 16 of base 12.

More specifically, base 12 is adapted to be secured to a desired support surface (not shown) to which base upper surface 14 preferably is parallel. In this regard, a plurality of countersunk screw-receiving apertures 13 are defined through the base for receipt of screws (not shown); the countersink of apertures 13 assures that the heads of any screws engaged in the apertures are disposed below surface 14 in use of the cleat. Upper surface 14 of base 12 is serrated opposite from wall 16 to define a plurality of parallel teeth 28 parallel to wall 16. Teeth 28 are designed to mate with a corresponding plurality of spaced teeth 30 defined along the entire transverse extent of block lower surface 20. The width of the serrated area of base 12 is greater than the width of surface 20. Thus, block 18 may be fixed in any one of a number of positions on base plate upper surface 14 so as to control the distance between an outer end 32 of flange 24 and a surface 34 of base plate side wall I6 which faces teeth 28.

plane normal to the support In order to provide a means for fixing the position of block 18 along base plate upper surface 14, a circular aperture 36 is formed through the side wall of block 18 and is adapted to receive the shank of a bolt 38. A head 39 of bolt 38 is movably captive to base 12 in an elongate recess 42 formed in the underside of base 12 below teeth 28 in alignment with a bolt slot 40 through the base to recess 42; slot 40 is aligned normal to base wall surface 34. As block 18 is moved relative to the base plate toward and away from wall surface 34, the bolt head 39 moves in recess 42, whereas the bolt shank moves in slot 40. The threaded end 46 of bolt 38 receives a tightening nut 48 above block member 18. When nut 48 is tightened against an upper surface 21 of block 18, the block is restrained from movement relative to base plate 12 by the mating of teeth 28 and 30.

As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, line-engaging member 26 includes a flexible hinge member 50, an elastomeric material, preferably a synthetic elastomeric material, such as sheet polyurethane, and having a substantial portion thereof fixed within side wall 22 of block 18 and an end 52 extending into a passage 54 (open along its top between flange end 32 and base wall surface 34) defined between side wall 22 of block 18 and side wall 16 of base plate 12. When hinge member 50-is not deflected against side wall 16 by its inherent resilience, it lies in a plane normal to base surface 14 and oblique to wall surface 34, as shown in FIG. 1. When its end 52 is subjected to a load applied parallel to base wall surface 34, the resilient hinge member deflects at the location where it enters block member 18 below flange 24.

A non-resilient, rigid coupling plate 56 is fixed (as by rivets) to a side surface 58 of flexible hinge member 50 below flange 24 entirely outside block 18. The distance between outer end 52 of hinge member 50 and an inner end 60 of plate 56 is such that end 52 may be flexed counterclockwise (as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 3) to a limit defined by side wall 22 and by the resiliency of plate 50; the hinge plate may be flexed clockwise only to a limit defined by end 60 of plate 56 abutting side wall 22 as shown in FIG. 3. As noted, hinge member 50 is normally disposed at an angle relative to a line normal to side wall 16, such angle being substantially less than 90. Preferably the angle is about 30 to 40.

A toothed line contacting member 62 is mounted to an outer end 64 of coupling plate 56 and has a plurality of friction-generating line-gripping teeth 66 positioned thereon adjacent side wall 16 of base 12. The teeth are configured to bite into a line 63 engaged within passage 54 between member 26 and side wall 16 when a force F is exerted on the line in a direction moving hinge member 50 toward its clockwise limit, i.e., normal to side wall 16 as shown in FIG. 3. Preferably, block 18 is positioned on base 12, in cooperation with the diameterof line 63, so that the line wedges securely against base wall surface 34 before hinge member 50 flexes to its full clockwise limit shown in FIG. 3 for the purposes of illustration. The line, however, can be freely moved in the opposite direction in the cleat since teeth 66 are configured to allow the line to ride along them in such direction.

An important feature of the present invention is the ability to efficiently remove a line under load from within cleat 10, i.e., from wedged engagement between toothed member 62 and wall surface 34, without having to first overcome the load on the line before lifting the line out of passage 54 through its open upper extent. Stated another way, line releasing is essentially independent of the line load. This phenomenon is made possible by having toothed member pivotally mounted on coupling plate 56 at end 64 thereof adjacent base wall surface 34. Thus, a pivot pin 68 is engaged through member 62 and plate 56 essentially adjacent plate end 64; the pin is parallel to base surface 14. Member 62 is thus hingeable about the pin in a plane normal to base plate upper surface 14. Thus, toothed member 62 is pivotable both in a first plane parallel to base plate upper surface 14 and in a second plane normal to the first plane.

As shown in FIG. 5, by merely pulling up on a line engaged within the cleat, the line is released since the upward force pivots member 62 counterclockwise about pin 68 thereby disengaging teeth 66 from engagement with the line. The line is releasable by pulling upward initially, without having to first overcome the loading force on the line which may be in excess of pounds. This is a significant advantage for it enables line releasing essentially independently of the load force.

It is obvious that the pivotal feature of toothed member 62 to coupling plate 56 also facilitates the loading of a line into the cleat, as well as the trimming of a line while in the cleat. For instance, a line may be inserted by pushing downward into the cleat and, at the same time, twisting the line slightly in a clockwise direction. Since the line is engaged with toothed member 62, a clockwise rotation of the line causes a corresponding counterclockwise rotation of member 62, thereby increasing the effective opening between the toothed member and wall surface 34 (see FIG. 5), thereby allowing the line to be slipped in more easily. In this manner, the line does not have to be forced against member 62 in a direction moving hinge plate counterclockwise to increase the insert area into passage 54 from between member 22 and side wall 16. In a like manner, the line can be slipped in and out quickly during trimming without the need to first overcome the load force to pivot hinge plate 50 counterclockwise.

To facilitate admission of line 63 into passage 54, the upper surfaces of base 12 and block 18 are relieved, as at 70 and 71 (FIG. 5), along the entire length of the passage.

What has been described, therefore, is a jam cleat for holding a line engaged therewith fast against loads applied in one of two opposite directions. The cleat comprises a base adapted to be secured to a desired support surface and having an upper surface and a side wall perpendicular to the upper surface. A line-engaging member is mounted adjacent the base side wall and is selectively pivotable in a first plane parallel to the support surface as well as in a second plane normal to the first plane..The relationship is such that as the axial load on a line loaded into the cleat is varied, the line-engaging member is correspondingly pivoted in the first plane to wedge the line to the wall, whereas the line-engaging member is pivoted in the second plane when the line is removed from the cleat.

Although the invention has been described with reference to a specific embodiment, it is to be appreciated that modifications and variations thereof may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A jam cleat for holding a line fast against loads applied in one of two opposite directions relative to the cleat compromising:

a. a base adapted to be fixedly mounted to a desired support surface having an upper surface and a sidewall substantially perpendicular to the upper surface;

b. a line engaging member mounted adjacent the base side wall and pivotable in a first plane parallel to the base upper surface for wedging a line engaged between it and the side wall against the sidewall in response to line loads against which the line is to be held and pivotable in a second plane normal to the first plane in response to upward lateral movement of the line;

c. means mounting the line engaging member for adjustable positioning of the line engaging member toward and away from the base side wall, said mounting means including a block and means for fixing the block to the base in a selected one of a plurality of parallel positions relative to and spaced from the base side wall, the line engaging member being mounted to the block.

2. A jam cleat for holding a line fast against loads applied in one of two opposite directions relative to the cleat compromising:

a. a base adapted to be fixedly mounted to a desired support surface having an upper surface and a side wall substantially perpendicular to the upper surface;

b. a line engaging member mounted adjacent the base side wall and pivotable in a first plane parallel to the base upper surface for wedging a line engaged between it and the side wall against the side wall in response to line loads against which the line is to be held and pivotable in a second plane normal to the first plane in response to upward lateral movement of the line;

c. means mounting the line engaging member for adjustable positioning of the line engaging member toward and away from the base side wall, and including a plurality of parallel teeth on the base extending parallel to the base side wall and a plurality of mating teeth on the mounting means.

3. A jam cleat for holding a line fast against loads applied in one of two opposite directions relative to the cleat comprising;

a. a base adapted to be fixedly mounted to a desired support surface and having an upper surface and a side wall substantially perpendicular to the upper surface;

b. a toothed line engaging member disposed adjacent the the base side wall; and

c. means mounting the line engaging member to the base for pivotable movement of the line engaging member in a first plane parallel to the base upper surface for wedging a line engaged between it and the side wall against the side wall in response to line loads against which the line is to be held and for pivotable movement of the line engaging member in a second plane normal to the first plane in response to upward lateral movement of the line, the mounting means including a resilient member coupled at one end to the base for flexing relative to the base in the first plane and to the other end of which the line engaging member is pivotally mounted for motion in the second plane.

4. A jam cleat according to claim 3 wherein the means mounting the line engaging member to the resilient member defines at least one limit of travel of the line engaging member in the first plane.

5. The jam cleat of claim 3, wherein the resilient member comprises a substantially planar piece of elastomeric material.

6. The jam cleat of claim 3, wherein the resilient member is disposed in a plane normal to the base upper surface, the resilient member extending from the mounting means toward the base side wall along a line which diverges from normal to the base side wall toward the direction which is opposite to said one direction.

Claims (6)

1. A jam cleat for holding a line fast against loads applied in one of two opposite directions relative to the cleat compromising: a. a base adapted to be fixedly mounted to a desired support surface having an upper surface and a side wall substantially perpendicular to the upper surface; b. a line engaging member mounted adjacent the base side wall and pivotable in a first plane parallel to the base upper surface for wedging a line engaged between it and the side wall against the side wall in response to line loads against which the line is to be held and pivotable in a second plane normal to the first plane in response to upward lateral movement of the line; c. means mounting the line engaging member for adjustable positioning of the line engaging member toward and away from the base side wall, said mounting means including a block and means for fixing the block to the base in a selected one of a plurality of parallel positions relative to and spaced from the base side wall, the line engaging member being mounted to the block.

2. A jam cleat for holding a line fast against loads applied in one of two opposite directions relative to the cleat compromising: a. a base adapted to be fixedly mounted to a desired support surface having an upper surface and a side wall substantially perpendicular to the upper surface; b. a line engaging member mounted adjacent the base side wall and pivotable in a first plane parallel to the base upper surface for wedging a line engaged between it and the side wall against the side wall in response to line loads against which the line is to be held and pivotable in a second plane normal to the first plane in response to upward lateral movement of the line; c. means mounting the line engaging member for adjustable positioning of the line engaging member toward and away from the base side wall, and including a plurality of parallel teeth on the base extending parallel to the base side wall and a plurality of mating teeth on the mounting means.

3. A jam cleat for holding a line fast against loads applied in one of two opposite directions relative to the cleat comprising; a. a base adapted to be fixedly mounted to a desired support surface and having an upper surface and a side wall substantially perpendicular to the upper surface; b. a toothed line engaging member disposed adjacent the the base side wall; and c. means mounting the line engaging member to the base for pivotable movement of the line engaging member in a first plane parallel to the base upper surface for wedging a line engaged between it and the side wall against the side wall in response to line loads against which the line is to be held and for pivotable movement of the line engaging member in a second plane normal to the first plane in response to upward lateral movement of the line, the mounting means including a resilient member coupled at one end to the base for flexing relative to the base in the first plane and to the other end of which the line engaging member is pivotally mounted for motion in the second plane.

4. A jam cleat according to claim 3 wherein the means mounting the line engaging member to the resilient member defines at least one limit of travel of the line engaging member in the first plane.

5. The jam cleat of claim 3, wherein the resilient member comprises a substantially planar piece of elastomeric material.

6. The jam cleat of claim 3, wherein the resilient member is disposed in a plane normal to the base upper surface, the resilient member extending from the mounting means toward the base side wall along a line which diverges from normal to the base side wAll toward the direction which is opposite to said one direction.

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