Abstract:
The mooring buoy fending system is a pole with guide rings attached thereto. When used to moor a boat, the pole extends substantially horizontally from the deck of the boat and supports a mooring line that is secured to a mooring buoy at one end and to the boat at the other end. The length of the pole is greater than half the length of the mooring line and therefore prevents the boat from bumping against the mooring buoy. In an alternative embodiment, the system includes a buoy-mounted storage receptacle and, in another alternative embodiment, the system includes a buoy having a storage receptacle protruding from the top of the buoy. Additionally, a storage receptacle may be defined within the buoy. In the alternative embodiments, the pole is stored in the storage receptacle to facilitate easy grasping by a person in an approaching boat.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/489,502, filed Jul. 24, 2003. 
     
    
     1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to boat mooring devices, and more particularly, to a mooring buoy fending system that prevents contact between a mooring buoy and a boat moored thereto, and thereby prevents a condition known as “buoy rash.” 
       2. DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART  
       [0003]     Typically, a mooring buoy is comprised of an anchoring base that rests on the seabed, a floating spherical buoy, and a length of chain that is fixed at one end to the anchoring base and at the other end to the buoy. A mooring line is typically attached, either to an eyebolt protruding vertically from the top or bottom of the spherical buoy, or to the chain that anchors the buoy to the base. A boat is moored to the mooring buoy either by securing the buoy&#39;s mooring line to the boat or by securing a mooring line from the boat to the eyebolt of the buoy.  
         [0004]     A well-known problem associated with mooring a boat to a mooring buoy is that the boat continually bumps up against the buoy as the direction of wind or water currents change. Because mooring buoys are typically constructed of metal, plastic, or other suitable hard material, and most boats using a mooring buoy are constructed of either wood or fiberglass, this continual bumping of the boat against the buoy often results in a condition known as “buoy rash.” Buoy rash is a condition where the surface of a boat that has been in continual contact with a buoy has become scraped, splintered, chipped or dented.  
         [0005]     Although the related art includes patents teaching a buoy with an elongated structure, it does not teach a mooring buoy and pole configured to prevent buoy rash.  
         [0006]     U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,534,740 and 4,568,295, issued Aug. 13, 1985 and Feb. 4, 1986, respectively, to L. Poldervaart, disclose a buoy having two rigid arms extending horizontally from the buoy with the arms sufficiently spaced apart to receive and secure one end of a boat and to thereby hold the boat in a fixed position relative to the buoy. The device, however, has at least two drawbacks. First, the rigid arms of the device can bump the moored boat thereby resulting in scraping or denting of the boat. And second, the buoy must be of sufficient size and weight to support the torque of the two arms.  
         [0007]     Likewise, U.S. Pat. No. 4,735,472, issued Apr. 5, 1988 to P. Balleraud, discloses a device for avoiding resonance associated with wave movement. The device includes a buoy attached in a triangular relationship with an anchoring column and a moored ship. However, one joint of the rigid arms comprising the triangular structure is capable of bumping the moored boat and thereby causing scrapping or denting.  
         [0008]     The related art also includes patents, such as U.S. Pat. No. 3,077,614, issued Feb. 19, 1963 to R. L. Lloyd, U.S. Pat. No. 4,529,388 issued Jul. 16, 1985 to Jones et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,488,554 issued Dec. 3, 2002 to R. G. Walker as well as U.S. Patent Publication No. 2002/0117099, published Aug. 29, 2002, all of which disclose a buoy having an elongated rod extending upward vertically from the buoy for the purpose of holding the mooring line in a position where it is easily grasped by a person in an approaching boat. However, while these devices enable a person in a boat to more easily grasp the mooring line attached to a mooring buoy, none of the devices uses a rod in a horizontal orientation to maintain space between a boat and the buoy.  
         [0009]     Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 6,273,017, issued Aug. 14, 2001 to G. E. Griffin, discloses an elongated handle having two ends with an eyelet on each of the ends. The device is used to facilitate the securing of a mooring line to a stationary object. Although, the handle remains in a substantially horizontal position when used to moor a boat, the handle does not prevent contact of the boat with the stationary object. To the contrary, because one end of the handle is secured directly to the object, the other end of the handle can bump and damaged the boat.  
         [0010]     Consequently, none of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Thus, a mooring buoy fending system solving the aforementioned problem is desired.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]     The mooring buoy fending system is a pole with guide rings attached thereto. When used to moor a boat, the pole extends substantially horizontally from the deck of the boat and supports a mooring line that is secured to a mooring buoy at one end and to the boat at the other end. The length of the pole is greater than half the length of the mooring line and therefore prevents the boat from bumping against the mooring buoy. In an alternative embodiment, the system includes a buoy-mounted storage receptacle and, in another alternative embodiment, the system includes a buoy having a storage receptacle protruding from the top of the buoy. In the alternative embodiments, the pole is stored in the storage receptacle to facilitate easy grasping by a person in an approaching boat.  
         [0012]     Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a system for preventing a boat moored to a mooring buoy from bumping into the mooring buoy and to thereby prevent boat damage know as “buoy rash.” 
         [0013]     It is also an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.  
         [0014]     These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]      FIG. 1  is an environmental, perspective view of a mooring buoy fending system according to the present invention shown secured to both a boat and a mooring buoy with the mooring buoy shown in two positions.  
         [0016]      FIG. 2  is an environmental, perspective view of a mooring buoy fending system according to the present invention shown secured to both a boat and a mooring buoy with the pole flexing downward.  
         [0017]      FIG. 3  is an environmental, perspective view of a mooring buoy fending system according to the present invention, the pole shown floating at the water&#39;s surface.  
         [0018]      FIG. 4A  is a partially fragmented exploded view of a pole comprising an end socket for mounting the pole to a boat cleat.  
         [0019]      FIG. 4B  is a partially fragmented view of a pole comprising an end socket for mounting the pole to a boat cleat, showing the pole attached to the cleat.  
         [0020]      FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a mooring buoy fending system according to the present invention shown including a storage receptacle disposed on a buoy.  
         [0021]      FIG. 6  is an environmental, perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a mooring buoy fending system according to the present invention shown including a storage receptacle disposed on a buoy.  
         [0022]      FIG. 7A  is an exploded side view of a hollow storage receptacle for an alternative embodiment of a mooring buoy fending system according to the present invention shown in relation to a mooring buoy.  
         [0023]      FIG. 7B  is an exploded front view of a hollow storage receptacle for an alternative embodiment of a mooring buoy fending system according to the present invention shown in relation to a mooring buoy.  
         [0024]      FIG. 8A  is a fragmented side view of a pole and pivoting pole hand for a mooring buoy fending system according to the present invention shown attached to an anchor roller.  
         [0025]      FIG. 8B  is a side elevational view of a pivoting pole hand for a mooring buoy fending system according to the present invention.  
         [0026]      FIG. 8C  is rear elevational view of a pivoting pole handle for a mooring buoy fending system according to the present invention.  
         [0027]      FIG. 8D  is top view of a pivoting pole handle for a mooring buoy fending system according to the present invention.  
         [0028]      FIG. 9  is a fragmented perspective view of a pole and mooring line for a mooring buoy fending system according to the present invention, illustrating an alternate method for mounting the pole to a boat.  
         [0029]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment according to the present invention wherein a mooring line extends through a hollow cavity within the pole.  
         [0030]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a mooring buoy fending system according to the present invention wherein a buoy has an integral storage receptacle. 
     
    
       [0031]     Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0032]     The present invention is a mooring buoy fending system designed to prevent the hull of a boat that is moored to a buoy from bumping against the buoy when the boat shifts its position in the water. Referring first to  FIGS. 1-3 , the invention includes a pole  11 , the pole  11  having a first end  22  and a second end  24 , that supports a mooring line  16  in a manner to hold the boat away from a mooring buoy B. At least one, and in the illustrated embodiment two, rings  12  are disposed along the pole  11 , extending from the pole  11  in planes that are substantially perpendicular to the axis of the pole  11 . Rings  12  are located toward the second end  24  of the pole  11 . The rings  12  are preferably small enough that a braided or knotted loop formed in the line  16  will not pass through the rings  12 . Alternatively, a stopping device (not shown) such as a block of wood or plastic or other material may be attached to the line  16  to prevent a loose end of the line  16  from slipping free of the rings  12 . One of the rings  12  is located at the second end  24  of the pole  11 , a second ring  12  being located approximately a third of the length of the pole  11  from the second end  24 . A single ring  12  located at the second end  24  of the pole  11 , or a pair of rings  12  located as described above, is sufficient to support the mooring line  16 , although additional rings  12  may be distributed along the length of the pole  11 . The first end  22  of the pole  11  is secured to the deck of a boat by any of several means, such that the pole  11  extends substantially from the boat.  
         [0033]     The pole rings  12  serve as supports and line guides for a mooring line  16  that is secured to a mooring buoy B at one end and to a boat cleat C at the other end. A portion  18  of the pole  11  extending beyond the edge of the boat is longer than half the length of the portion of the mooring line  16  between the edge of the boat and the buoy B. Thus, when the boat drifts toward the mooring buoy B, the invention prevents the boat from coming in contact with the buoy B, as depicted by the buoy shown in phantom lines in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0034]     Cushions  13  are disposed about the pole  11 , the cushions being located generally toward the first end  22  of the pole  11 . The cushions  13  are formed of a resilient, and preferably buoyant material. The cushions  13  provide protection to the boat from abrasions or damage caused by the pole  11 , and similarly protect the pole from contact with parts of the boat. Additionally, the cushions  13  help the pole  11  to float if the pole  11  is left in the water, as seen in  FIG. 3 , it being desirable that the pole  11  float at the water&#39;s surface if dropped overboard.  
         [0035]     The pole  11  is shown in  FIG. 1  secured to a boat via a tubular holder  14  and  15  adapted to receive one end of the pole  11 . The tubular holder  14  and  15  comprises a hollow cylinder  14 , and a mounting bracket  15  extending laterally from the side of the hollow cylinder  14 . The mounting bracket  15  is bolted to the deck of the boat. The inside diameter of the hollow cylinder  14  is substantially equal to the outside diameter of the pole  11 , and the pole  11  is coupled with the hollow cylinder  14  by means of push-fit engagement.  
         [0036]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , an alternate method of attaching the pole  11  to a boat is illustrated, wherein a fitting  30  is attached to the first end  22  of the pole  11 , the fitting  30  being adapted to fit onto an end of a cleat C. This method of attachment is seen in greater detail in  FIGS. 4A and 4B .  
         [0037]     The fitting  30  has two opposing bores  36  and  38 . Bore  38  is dimensioned to receive the first end  22  of the pole  11  in a push-fit engagement. The fitting  30  may be further affixed to the first end  22  of the pole  11  by an adhesive, a securing pin or bolt, or other means. Bore  36  is adapted to fit over a prong P of a cleat C. A short elastic loop  32  is attached to the pole  11  near the first end  22 . With the pole first end  22  of the pole  11  engaged with the bore  38  of the fitting  30 , and the bore  36  of the fitting  30  fitted to the prong P of the cleat C, securing the elastic loop  32  around the cleat C secures the pole  11  in place. Alternatively, bore  36  may be formed integrally with the first end  22  of the pole  11 , thereby adapting the pole  11  itself to similarly fit over a prong P of a cleat C without the need for an additional fitting.  
         [0038]     A storage receptacle  71  is shown in  FIG. 3  attached to the top of the buoy B. The storage receptacle  71  provides a holder for the pole  11  when the pole  11  is not in use. Turning now to  FIGS. 5, 6 ,  7 A, and  7 B, the storage receptacle  71  is shown in greater detail. A hollow storage receptacle  71 , may be affixed to a mooring buoy B to provide a means for holding the pole  11  when it is not in use. The storage receptacle  71  attaches to the eyebolt E of a standard mooring buoy B, and has an upper portion  72 , a middle portion  73 , and a lower portion  74 . The upper portion  72  of the hollow storage receptacle  71  is funnel shaped, the middle portion  73  is cylindrical, and the lower portion  74  is a sleeve adapted to fit snuggly over the eyebolt E of a mooring buoy B. The lower portion  74  has a front side  75  and a back side  76  each of which have an aperture  77  disposed to align with the eyelet of the eyebolt E. The storage receptacle  71  is secured to the buoy eyebolt E by a plurality of nut and bolt assemblies  78 . When the pole  11  is not attached to a boat, the pole  11  is stored vertically in the storage receptacle  71  by inserting one end of the pole  11  into the receptacle  71 . The storage receptacle  71  can either be constructed of glow in the dark material or include at least one solar powered light (not shown) for better night visibility.  
         [0039]     Turning now to  FIGS. 8A-8D , the pole  11  can also be attached to a boat via an anchor roller A and a pivoting pole handle  41  that is adapted to fit in the front portion of the anchor roller A. The pivoting pole handle  41  consists of a bored cylinder  42  having a pair of contoured tongs  44  extending therefrom substantially in a plane parallel to the axis of the bored cylinder  42 , and a handle  43  having a contoured upper portion  47  with a pair of contoured tongs  48  extending downward from the upper portion  47 . The contoured tongs  44  of the bored cylinder  42  mate with the upper portion  47  of the handle  43  and are connected to each other in a pivoting relationship by a bolt and wing nut assembly  46  such that when the handle  43  is positioned with the contoured tongs  48  engaged in the anchor roller A, the bored cylinder  42  can pivot in a vertical plane. The contoured tongs  48  of the handle  43  are oriented and dimensioned to fit in the front end of an anchor roller A with a mooring line  16  passing between them  48 . The pole  11  is attached to the bored cylinder  42  in a push-fit engagement by inserting one end of the pole  11  into the bore (not shown). A setscrew (not shown) can be used to more securely attach the pole  11  to the bored cylinder  42 .  
         [0040]     Turning now to  FIG. 9 , an additional method for attachment of the pole  11  is shown, this method particularly suited to attaching the pole  11  to a boat railing R or similar boat fixture. In place of attachment fitting  30  described above, a pivot arm connector- 92  is disposed on the first end  22  of the pole  11 , the pivot arm connector  92  having an aperture  94  defined therein for receiving a fastening pin or bolt. A mounting bracket  96  is fastened to a section of the boat&#39;s railing R, or a similar structure, by means of a collar or clamp  98  or other suitable means. The pivot arm connector  92  is secured to the mounting bracket  96  to hold the pole  11  in place.  
         [0041]     The configuration of the pole itself can vary. The pole can be segmented (not shown) to allow breaking down and easy storage. In one embodiment of the invention, a pole  111  is substantially hollowed to support the mooring line  16  without guide rings as shown in  FIG. 10 . When hollowed, a cavity  126  runs lengthwise through the pole  111 . A lateral opening  52  is defined near the first end  122  of the pole  111  to allow access to the mooring line  16  for securing the pole  111  to a boat. The mooring line  16  exits the pole at the second end  124 .  
         [0042]     Turning now to  FIG. 11 , a storage receptacle  82  may be defined within a mooring buoy  81  itself. The storage receptacle  82  comprises an aperture  83  defined in the surface of the buoy  81 , the aperture  83  being in communication with a walled recess  84  defined within the body of the buoy  81 .  
         [0043]     It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.