WO2012119202A1

WO2012119202A1 - Boat securing device

Info

Publication number: WO2012119202A1
Application number: PCT/AU2012/000244
Authority: WO
Inventors: Romeo GALANTE
Original assignee: Galante Romeo
Priority date: 2011-03-10
Filing date: 2012-03-09
Publication date: 2012-09-13

Abstract

A boat securing device (10) comprising a mounting bracket (12) mountable to a side of a boat (14) and an arm member (16) pivotally connected to the mounting bracket (12). One or more rope engaging members (28) are secured to the arm member (12) each having an opening (34) oriented in a direction perpendicular to the plane through which the arm member (12) pivots. The openings (34) are each provided to engage with a portion of a loop (32) of rope (30). Application of sufficient force to the loop (32) of rope (30) by movement of the boat (14) causes the loop (32) of rope (30) to disengage from the openings (34) so that the boat may be manoeuvred to allow the loop to engage and secure over a securing point, such as a bollard.

Description

"Boat Securing Device"

Field of the Invention

[001 ] The present invention relates to a device for securing a boat to a jetty, mooring or the like.

Background to the Invention

[002] The task of securing a boat alongside a jetty or to a mooring can be difficult to accomplish alone. The boat must be accurately driven into location alongside the jetty, at which time a rope is attached around a suitable securing point on the jetty such as a bollard. Generally, the position from which the boat is secured is remote from the steering wheel of the boat. Securing the boat alone would therefore mean quickly moving from the steering wheel to the correct position on the boat to attach the rope. This can be extremely difficult in conditions where wind and waves will quickly move the boat out of position.

[003] The present invention is aimed at providing a device that can be easily fitted to a boat and provides assistance with the task of a securing a boat to a jetty, mooring or other similar securing point.

Summary of the Invention

[004] According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a boat securing device comprising:

a mounting bracket, mountable to a side of a boat;

an arm member pivotally connected to the mounting bracket such that the arm member may pivot through a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the boat; and

one or more rope engaging members secured to the arm member, each rope engaging member including an opening oriented in a direction perpendicular to the plane through which the arm member pivots, the openings each being provided to engage with a portion of a loop of rope;

wherein application of sufficient force to the loop of rope by movement of the boat causes the loop of rope to disengage from the openings so that the boat may be manoeuvred until the loop of rope engages with a securing device adjacent the side of the boat and then further moved to cause said disengagement of the loop of rope from the rope engaging members.

[005] Preferably the arm member comprises an elongate member and each rope engaging member comprises a clip into which the arm member is received.

[006] Preferably a plurality of clips are secured to the arm member along the length thereof.

[007] In a preferred embodiment, each clip is flexible adjacent the opening such that portions of the loop of rope are received in the opening by flexing of the clip.

[008] In one embodiment, each clip comprises a strip of relatively flat material wrapped around the arm member such that the ends thereof define the opening and wherein a narrowed neck portion is provided adjacent the opening such that when the rope is received in the opening, the opening of the clip flexes outwardly and the rope passes through the narrowed neck portion to be held adjacent the arm member.

[009] Preferably the arm member is pivotable between a position in which the arm member extends horizontally away from the side of the boat to a position in which the arm member extends generally upwardly from the mounting bracket.

[010] In one embodiment, the mounting bracket comprises first and second plate members arranged parallel to each other and a pivot pin is provided between the first and second plate members to be received in a first aperture in the first end of the arm member. [01 1 ] Each of the plate members preferably includes a transverse flange at a lower end thereof to be secured to a gunwale of the boat.

[012] Preferably the first and second plate members have further holes therein through which a securing pin can be received, the securing pin being received through a corresponding hole in the arm member in order to secure the arm member in a particular orientation.

[013] In a further embodiment, an extension piece is provided comprising an elongate member having:

an end portion to engage with the second end of the arm member;

a central portion provided at an angle to the first end portion; and

a plurality of rope engaging members on the central portion.

[014] Preferably the arm member includes a narrowed portion at the second end thereof to be received in the end portion of the extension piece.

[015] Preferably end portions are provided at both ends of the central portion.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[016] The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the following drawings, in which:

[017] Figure 1 a is a first side view of a boat securing device of the present invention;

[018] Figure 1 b is a second side view of the boat securing device of Figure 1 a;

[019] Figure 1 c is a cross sectional view of the boat securing device of Figure 1 b through the line A-A;

[020] Figure 2a is a bottom view of the boat securing device of Figure 1 ;

[021 ] Figure 2b is a top view of the boat securing device of Figure 1 ;

[022] Figure 3a is a side view of the boat securing device of Figure 1 secured on the side of a boat in a first lowered position; [023] Figure 3b is a side view of the boat securing device of Figure 1 secured on the side of the boat in a partially raised position;

[024] Figure 4 is a side view of the boat securing device of Figure 1 secured on the side of the boat in a fully raised position;

[025] Figure 5a is a side view of the boat securing device in the position of Figure 3a supporting a loop of rope for securing the boat;

[026] Figure 5b is a cross sectional view of the boat securing device of Figure 5a through the line B-B;

[027] Figure 6 is a top view of the boat securing device of Figure 1 secured to the side of the boat;

[028] Figure 7 is a top view of the boat securing device supporting the loop of rope in use prior to attachment of the rope to a bollard;

[029] Figure 8 is a top view of the boat securing device as the loop of rope engages with the bollard and disengages from the rope engaging members;

[030] Figure 9 is a top view of the boat securing device as the loop of rope is tightened to secure the boat;

[031 ] Figure 10a is a first side view of an extension piece for use with the boat securing device;

[032] Figure 10b is a second side view of the extension piece; and

[033] Figure 1 1 is a side view of the extension piece in use secured to the arm member of the boat securing device.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

[034] Referring to Figures, there is shown a boat securing device 10 comprising an arm member 12 securable to the side of a boat 14. In the example shown in the drawings, a single boat securing device 10 is provided on the starboard side of the boat 14 adjacent the stern. It will be appreciated though that boat securing devices 10 may be provided on both sides of the boat 14. Also, multiple boat securing devices 10 may be provided on each side if required. [035] The boat securing device 10 is provided with a mounting bracket 16 securable to the side of the boat 14 and the arm member 12 extends outwardly from the mounting bracket 16. In the embodiment shown, the mounting bracket 16 is secured to the gunwale 18 of the boat 14 by suitable means, such as securing screws. The arm member 12 is pivotally mounted to the mounting bracket 16 such that the arm member 12 is pivotable through a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the boat 14.

[036] The mounting bracket 16 comprises first and second plate members 20 and 21 . The plate members 20 and 21 are arranged parallel to each other and each includes a transverse flange 22 at a lower end thereof. The transverse flanges 22 rest on the gunwale 18 of the boat 14 and are secured thereto. The first and second plate members 20 and 21 each extend in a generally vertical plane being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the boat. 14.

[037] A first end of the arm member 12 is pivotally mounted between the first and second plate members 20 and 21 . A pivot pin 24 passes between the first and second plate members 20 and 21 and is received in a first aperture in the first end of the arm member 12 such that the arm member 12 pivots about the pivot pin 24.

[038] The arm member 12 extends outwardly from between the plate members 20 and 21 and can be pivoted from a position (as shown in Figure 3a) in which the arm member 12 extends from the first end thereof generally horizontally away from the side of the boat 12 to a position (as shown in figure 4) in which the arm member 12 extends from the first end generally upwardly away from the mounting bracket 16. The vertical position of Figure 4 is used as a 'stored' position in which the boat securing device 10 can be placed when not in use.

[039] The first and second plate members 20 and 21 have further holes 26 therein through which a securing pin can be received. The securing pin is also received through a corresponding hole in the arm member 12 in order to secure the arm member 12 in a particular orientation. [040] The arm member 12 comprises an elongate member having a plurality of rope engaging members 28 provided along the length thereof. In the embodiment shown, the arm member 12 comprises a tubular member of circular cross section. The tubular member is shown with three rope engaging members 28, however any suitable number may be provided.

[041 ] Each of the rope engaging members 28 is provided for engaging with and supporting a portion of a rope 30. The rope 30 is formed into a loop 32 of rope and each of the rope engaging members 28 engages with a portion of the loop 32. The rope securing members 28 engage with the loop 32 in a manner such that when sufficient force is applied to the loop 32 by movement of the boat 14, the loop 32 disengages from the rope securing members 28.

[042] In the embodiment shown, each of the rope securing members 28 comprises a clip 29 into which the arm member 12 is received. As seen in Figure 1 c, each clip 29 comprises a strip of relatively flat material wrapped around the arm member 12 such that the ends thereof define an opening 34 into which portions of the loop of rope 32 can be received. The openings 34 are oriented to face in a direction perpendicular to the plane through which the arm member 12 pivots. That is, the openings 34 face along the longitudinal axis of the boat 14. Each clip 29 is flexible adjacent the opening 34 such that portions of the loop 32 are received in the opening by flexing of the clip 29.

[043] Adjacent the opening 34 is provided a narrowed neck portion 36 such that when the rope 32 is received in the opening (as shown in Figure 5b) the opening 34 of the clip 29 flexes outwardly and the rope 30 passes through the narrowed neck portion 36 to be held adjacent the arm member 12. When sufficient force is applied to the rope 30 in a direction away from the opening 34, the rope 30 can disengage with the clips 29 by expanding apart the clips 29 adjacent the opening 34.

[044] Each of the openings 34 are oriented in a direction generally away from the direction the boat 14 is travelling when moving into position adjacent the securing point. In the example shown, the boat 12 is reversing in adjacent a jetty 38 on the starboard side of the boat 12. The openings 34 therefore point generally in a direction towards the bow of the boat 12.

[045] As can be seen in Figure 5, the loop 32 of rope 30 is supported by the clips 29 such that an upper side of the loop 32 is held adjacent the arm member 12 and a lower side of the loop 32 hangs below the arm member 12. The loop 32 is arranged in this position prior to the boat 12 approaching the jetty 38 on which is provided a bollard 40 to which the loop 32 of rope is to be attached. The orientation of the arm member 12 and the length of the loop 32 formed are such that the lower side of the loop 32 is below the top of the bollard 40.

[046] Figures 7 to 9 show the operation of securing the boat 12 to the bollard 40 on the jetty 38. The loop 32 of rope is arranged as described above and the boat 14 is reversed alongside the jetty 38. As the loop 32 is dragged along the jetty 38, the loop 32 hooks over the bollard 40. As the boat 12 continues to move, the force on the loop 32 in a direction towards the bow of the boat 12 pulls the loop 32 free from the clips 29 (as shown in Figure 8). The other end of the rope 30 is secured to the boat 12 in a suitable position and therefore further force on the rope 30 caused by any movement of the boat 12 will pull the loop 32 tight.

[047] The loop 32 may also be pulled tight manually or by mechanical means. In the embodiment shown for example, the rope 30 is also attached to a winch 42 on the side of the boat 12. The process of securing the boat 12 therefore comprises driving the boat 12 until the loop 32 engages with the bollard 40 to pull the loop 32 free of the arm member 12 and then operating the winch to pull in the rope 30 and tighten the loop 32. This process can be completed by a single person from the controls of the boat 12.

[048] As can be seen, the boat securing device 10 provides a simple method for attaching a rope 30 on the boat 12 to a securing point. The example shown was described with reference to a bollard 40 on a jetty 38 but it will be appreciated that the securing point may be a buoy of a mooring, floating on the surface of the water. [049] The boat securing device 10 may also be provided with an extension piece 44 as shown in Figures 10 and 1 1 . The extension piece 44 comprises also an elongate member having a central portion 48 and end portions 46 at each end thereof. A plurality of rope engaging members 28 are provided on the central portion 48. The end portions 46 of the extension piece engage with the second end of the arm member 12. The end portions 46 include openings to receive a narrowed portion 47 (as shown in Figure 10c) of the arm member 12. The end portions 46 are securable to the arm member 12 by a securing pin passed through alignable holes in the end portions 46 and the arm member 12.

[050] The end portions 46 are provided at an angle to the central portion 48. The arm member 12 may therefore be oriented in a position between the horizontal and vertical positions and the central portion 48 of the extension piece 44 is oriented generally horizontal as shown in Figure 1 1 . The central portion 48 of the extension piece 44 is thereby located at a higher position than the arm member 12 in the position shown in Figure 5. Such an arrangement may be used for securing the boat 12 alongside a higher jetty. The angled end portions 46 are provided at each end of the central portion so that the extension piece 44 may be connected to an arm member 12 on either side of the boat by connection at the appropriate end of the connection piece 44.

[051 ] It will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the relevant arts that various modifications and improvements may be made to the foregoing embodiments, in addition to those already described, without departing from the basic inventive concepts of the present invention.

Claims

1 . A boat securing device comprising:

a mounting bracket, mountable to a side of a boat;

2. A boat securing device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the arm member comprises an elongate member and each rope engaging member comprises a clip into which the arm member is received.

3. A boat securing device in accordance with claim 2, wherein a plurality of clips are secured to the arm member along the length thereof.

4. A boat securing device in accordance with claim 3, wherein each clip is flexible adjacent the opening such that portions of the loop of rope are received in the opening by flexing of the clip.

5. A boat securing device in accordance with claim 4, wherein each clip comprises a strip of relatively flat material wrapped around the arm member such that the ends thereof define the opening and wherein a narrowed neck portion is provided adjacent the opening such that when the rope is received in the opening, the opening of the clip flexes outwardly and the rope passes through the narrowed neck portion to be held adjacent the arm member.

6. A boat securing device in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the arm member is pivotable between a position in which the arm member extends horizontally away from the side of the boat to a position in which the arm member extends generally upwardly from the mounting bracket.

7. A boat securing device in accordance claim 6, wherein the mounting bracket comprises first and second plate members arranged parallel to each other and a pivot pin is provided between the first and second plate members to be received in a first aperture in the first end of the arm member.

8. A boat securing device in accordance with claim 7, wherein each of the plate members includes a transverse flange at a lower end thereof to be secured to a gunwale of the boat.

9. A boat securing device in accordance with claim 8, wherein the first and second plate members have further holes therein through which a securing pin can be received, the securing pin being received through a corresponding hole in the arm member in order to secure the arm member in a particular orientation.

10. A boat securing device in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein an extension piece is provided comprising an elongate member having:

an end portion to engage with the second end of the arm member;

a central portion provided at an angle to the first end portion; and

a plurality of rope engaging members on the central portion.

1 1 . A boat securing device in accordance with claim 10, wherein the arm member includes a narrowed portion at the second end thereof to be received in the end portion of the extension piece.

12. A boat securing device in accordance with claim 1 1 or 12, wherein end portions are provided at both ends of the central portion.