Pull-up cleat with infinite position adjustment

A cleat assembly having a base adapted for mounting on a surface with the base having at least one depending hollow cylindrical guide tube which extends through the mounting surface The cleat assembly includes a cleat member having a head adapted to be received by and seated on the cleat base and at least one cleat post which is received in the base guide tube and reciprocally movable therein. An elastomeric keeper member is attached to the cleat post and frictionally engages the guide tube providing infinitesimal positions of adjustment. The elastomeric keeper member in one embodiment has a faceted surface with longitudinally extending grooves to allow passage of liquids and debris. The keeper elements may be secured to the cleat posts by fasteners which serve to radially expand the elastomeric keepers. Additonal areas of cushioned frictional contact are provided between the post and guide tube to dampen rattling.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to pull-up cleats such as used on the decks and rails of small boats, on Trucks, Rv's and other vehicles as well as on stationary structures. A cleat member may be moved to a raised position for securing ropes or mooring lines and returned to a retracted position so as not to interfere with use of the deck, railing or other mounting surface. More particularly, the pull-up cleat of the present disclosure incorporates a cleat position retention or keeper structure which provides for infinite increments of adjustment of the cleat member relative to its base throughout its motion. Drainage of liquids from the cleat base to a waste discharge conduit and vibration damping feature may also be provided.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

The prior art contains many cleat and cleat operating designs which include both pull-up and pop-up types, the latter of which is usually biased upwardly to an operating position upon the release of spring pressure such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,809,634 to Czipri. This type of cleat design usually requires some form of mechanical latching means to hold the cleat in the depressed position. The retractable or pull-up cleat normally employs some form of mechanical detent to hold the cleat member in either the raised position for use or the retracted or depressed non-use position. Cleats of this type utilize a cleat member with either a single or a double post or depending shaft structure mounted for reciprocation in a base mounted tubular guide structure for movement between the extended and retracted positions. The following listed patents are examples of the single post type cleat structures which include some form of mechanical latching to hold the cleat in the extended or the retracted position:

The Czipri U.S. Pat. No. 6,234,101 above shows the common expedient of holding the cleat post member in either the extended or the retracted position by detent means and the Czipri U.S. Pat. No. 5,301,627 illustrates one form of mechanically latching the cleat in alternate positions. Another method of holding the cleat member in the raised operable position is that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,672,909 to Sweetsir and U.S. Pat. No. 4,354,445 to Kafka et al. In these devices, the cleat is raised to the extended position and rotated to hold it in position for use. These prior art cleat structures may either be of the type including a liquid sealed housing for preventing flow of liquid from the base member or some sort of drain or weep hole allowing discharge of liquid and debris. U.S. Pat. No. 5,983,820 to Whitley illustrates still another common type of cleat structure wherein the cleat member is provided with two downwardly depending posts or shafts which are housed in cylindrical guide tubes depending from the cleat base. In this instance, the cleat is held in either its extended or its retracted position by means of detents operating on both cleat posts with seals being provided to prevent any escape of liquid or debris from the cleat base.

Another type of lift-up cleat design is illustrated in the Whitley, II et al U.S. Pat. No. 6,588,355. The Whitley II et al patent discloses a double post or shaft type cleat which utilizes a cup-shaped flexible retainer, including an elastically deformable skirt connected to the bottom ends of the cleat posts to engage the inside surfaces of the guide tubes of the cleat base. The flexible skirts serve to retain the cleat posts in any position along the cylindrical guide tubes by engagement with the sides of the guide tubes. Liquid drainage from the cleat base is provided past the retainer skirts and is collected in a suitable drain conduit.

SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The present cleat structure includes a deck or other surface mounted base usually having a depression on the top surface thereof for reception of a retractable cleat member which may be of an elongated configuration conforming to the contours of the depression in the cleat base. The cleat member is provided with downwardly depending legs or posts which are received by cylindrical guide tubes extending from the bottom side of the base. Although a double cleat post and guide tube arrangement is illustrated, the present invention applies equally to a single post design. The tubular extensions on the base extend through appropriate bores in the supporting surface and the base member may be securely fastened to the supporting wall or structure by any well known means. In the present type of cleat structure, the posts are provided with ample clearance for reciprocation relative to the base within the tubular guides. This structure allows any liquid or debris, collecting on the exposed surface of the cleat base, to drain downwardly through the guide tubes and to be channeled to a drain system. In certain embodiments the structure may be configured to prevent or block any drainage downwardly through the guide tubes. The cleat member has a range of reciprocal motion of the downwardly extending posts within the tubular guides, the lower limit being determined by its seating in the cleat base and the raised position being limited by suitable stop means within the guide tubes. At least one or both of the cleat posts and/or guide tubes are provided with an elastomeric position retention member or keeper acting between the inside wall of the cylindrical guide tube and the post for restraining relative movement between the posts and the guide tube at any given location between the upper and lower limits of reciprocal motion. A surface on the elastomeric retention member thus acts between the post and guide tube surface to frictionally hold the cleat post in any position of adjustment and acts also as a guide member between the post and guide tube during reciprocation. This mode of operation is extremely important in allowing the operator to both raise and position the cleat member and to secure a line to the raised cleat with a single hand. Additionally, the elastomeric retention member may be provided with suitable channels on a peripheral surface which permits a free flow of liquid from the base member to suitable drainage conduits when desired. Alternatively the guide tubes may be provided with longitudinal drainage channels formed in the inside surface of the tube for the flow of liquid. In certain embodiments, the elastomeric retention members may be mounted on the bottom portion of the cleat posts with a screw threaded fastener which may also be utilized to radially expand the retention member so as to control the frictional engagement between the retention members and the inside wall of the guide tubes. In order to reduce vibration and, in some cases, rattling of the cleat member relative to its base, a second surface of cushioned contact or guide structure between the post and guide tube, spaced from the retention member, may also be provided.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Although the disclosed embodiments will be described with reference to a cleat structure and its mounting on a boat deck, it will be understood that the cleat is not limited to the application shown and may be utilized in other environments such as trucks, RVs or any other environment where a pull-up cleat is desired. Although the present embodiments are described as mounted on a generally horizontal surface, it will be appreciated that the structure may be mounted on surfaces otherwise oriented, such as a wall or a railing. Referring toFIGS. 1–3of the drawings, the cleat structure is indicated generally at10and includes a pull-up cleat member11, a cleat base12and clamping means13for securing the cleat base to a boat deck, a wall or other surface.FIG. 1illustrates the cleat structure prior to mounting on a surface andFIGS. 2 and 3illustrate the cleat apparatus mounted to a surface such as a boat deck14.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, it will be understood that the various components of the cleat apparatus such as the cleat member11, the cleat base12and the anchoring members13may be made from any material and are commonly constructed from stainless steel castings or some other durable material of sufficient strength which is capable of resisting rust and corrosion. The cleat member comprises an elongated body with legs or posts16and17depending at right angles from the bottom side as seen in the drawings. Posts16and17are mounted for reciprocal movement within the cylindrical tubular members18and19respectively which extend at right angles from the bottom side of the base12. Thus the cleat member11may be moved between the retracted position shown inFIG. 2, seated on the top surface of the cleat base, and the raised or operative position shown inFIGS. 1 and 3, above the cleat base12. As seen inFIGS. 1–3, the head portion21of the cleat is an elongated bar which may have an arched center section22for grasping the bar when in the retracted position. As shown most clearly inFIG. 2, the center arched section22is slightly raised above the surface of the cleat base when the cleat member is in the retracted position.

The downwardly directed cylindrical guide tubes18and19of the base12are positioned for receiving the posts16and17respectively of the cleat member11. The tubular members18and19may be formed as an integral casting with the base12or may be formed in any other suitable manner so as to be rigidly connected to the base12. With the cleat base12resting on the surface of the deck14, the tubular members18and19extend through suitable bore holes23and24respectively in the deck14with the cleat base12, in the illustrated embodiment, being rigidly connected to the deck by means of the anchor bolts13. Although the anchor bolts13are shown as attached to the bottom of the base15by such means as welding, it will be understood that the anchor bolts may be separate and passed through suitable holes in the base. As aforementioned, cleat posts16and17are received within the cylindrical tubes18and19with sufficient clearance, as shown at26and27inFIG. 3, between the posts and the upper ends of the tubes18and19, to permit reciprocation. In the illustrated embodiment, clearance is provided for the passage of liquid or debris, collected on the top surface of the base12, downwardly through the tubes18and19to a discharge area such as a bilge. Any liquid passing through the guide tubes is collected by the discharge conduits28and29sealingly attached or clamped to the bottom ends of the tubes. The discharge conduits28,29may comprise rubber, vinyl or other plastic tubing. It will also be noted that the upper end of each of the guide tubes18and19is provided with a reduced inside diameter portion resulting in a shoulder forming a stop surface30which cooperates with the retention or keeper member assemblies in a manner presently to be described to provide an upper limit of travel of the cleat member as shown inFIG. 3.

According to the present embodiments, elastomeric keeper members, indicated generally at31, are attached to the bottom ends of each of the posts16and17and may be identical in structure and function. The details of the keepers31are shown in one embodiment inFIGS. 4–6. The keepers31may be fabricated from rubber, nylon or other elastomeric deformable plastic material by any known process such as extrusion or molding. As seen most clearly inFIGS. 2 and 3, the keepers31may be attached to the bottom ends of the cleat posts utilizing screw fasteners such as machine screws32which engage screw threaded bores in the bottom of the associated posts. Stainless steel washers33and34may be used as rigid contact pressure surfaces or spacers between the keepers and the ends of the cleat posts and screw members32. The washers33and34will, of course, be sized so as to avoid any contact with the inside surfaces of the guide tubes. As shown inFIG. 3, the washer33also contacts the shoulder30to provide a stop for limiting upward travel of the posts. It will be appreciated that, when the screw members32are tightened in the bottom of the posts, the keepers31will radially expand the desired amount to frictionally engage the inside surfaces36and37respectively of the tubes18and19.

Although the top ends of the keeper members are illustrated as being in full surface contact with the upper washers33which in turn contact the terminal ends of the posts16–17, the detail of the interface between the end portions of the posts, the washers and keepers may be modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The described embodiment thus provides an upper limit of travel by action of the washer33and an adjustable frictional engagement between the cylindrical surface of the keeper and the guide tube walls.

As viewed inFIGS. 4–6, the keepers31of the illustrated embodiment comprise an elongated cylindrical body. The outside surface of the keeper body comprises a faceted cylindrical surface39of the same nominal diameter as the inside diameter of the tubes18and19. Faceted surface39is formed by the longitudinal grooves41and a central bore42extends the length of the body of the keeper for reception of the screw member32. With this arrangement, the keepers31can be clamped to the bottom ends of the posts16and17and screw members32tightened to radially expand the keeper body to provide sufficient friction between the keepers31and the inside surfaces of the tubes18and19. The engagement of the keepers releasably holds the cleat member11at any chosen location between the retracted and extended positions, providing infinitesimal incremental position adjustment of the cleat. In order to augment the frictional engagement between the surfaces of the keepers31and the inside surfaces36and37, either or both surfaces may be provided with a roughened finish or treated with a friction enhancing coating. In the event that undue wear occurs on the surfaces of the keeper31in the present embodiment, it is merely necessary to tighten the screw member32to further compress and radially expand the elastomeric body of the keeper. Grooves41provide for ample passage of liquid or debris from the cleat base, down the tubes18and19and into the discharge conduits28and29. In the alternative, if the guide tubes are otherwise sealed about the reciprocating posts, it is possible to optionally utilize a continuous cylindrical surface on the keepers.

As shown inFIG. 2, when in the retracted position, the cleat head21of the cleat member11is seated within the depressed surface of the cleat base12and is releasably held in this position by the frictional engagement of the keepers31. When the cleat member is raised to the operative position by hand lifting pressure as shown inFIG. 3for securing a line, the extreme limit of upward travel of the posts16and17is determined by engagement between the washers33and the shoulders30on the guide tubes18and19. It will be noted that, except when in the retracted position seated in the base, as shown inFIG. 2, the provision of clearance between the cleat posts and guide tubes may give rise to a certain amount of rattle within the cleat structure or assembly. This becomes more likely, of course, when the assembly is mounted on a motorized vehicle, such as a boat or land vehicle, due to engine vibrations and/or vehicle travel vibrations. This has sometimes been a problem in the prior art with mechanical cleat retentions or when there is only one point of retention contact between post and guide tube. The present elongated configuration of the keeper or retention member thus provides increased area for effectively damping such vibrations or rattle.

It will be noted that the exact dimensions of the faceted surface39of the keeper, as well as the depth and configuration of the grooves41may be varied depending upon the amount of liquid flow desired and/or the amount of surface area of frictional contact between the faceted surface39and the inside surface of the guide tubes required. In this regard, it is to understood that, although shown as having semi circular surfaces in the illustrated embodiments, the grooves41may take any form in cross section and are not limited to any specific configuration as long as adequate frictional contact and flow of liquid is provided in any particular installation.FIGS. 7 and 8illustrate a second embodiment of cleat post keeper or restraining element. The keeper element, indicated generally at43, includes the elastomeric body44having a central through bore46. The length or longitudinal extent of the keeper body44may be varied for any particular installation and will depend upon the size and configuration of the guide tubes18and19as well as the amount of frictional contact desired between the keepers and the inside walls of the guide tubes. As described for theFIGS. 4–6embodiment, the keeper43has an outside cylindrical faceted surface made up of the surface sections47with intervening grooves48extending the length of the keeper body. The grooves48, of course, provide for passage of liquid and debris to the drain conduits28and29as previously described. It will be noted that the grooves48in theFIGS. 7–8embodiment are fewer in number than those illustrated in theFIGS. 4–6embodiment and are of greater circumferential extent, providing each groove with a greater cross sectional area for liquid flow. This embodiment, of course, provides less frictional contact between the faceted surface sections47and the inside surface of the guide tubes18and19.

FIGS. 9 and 9Aillustrate an embodiment of the cleat structure which provides a second area or point of cushioned contact between the cleat post and the guide tube.FIG. 9is an illustration of only one of the post and guide tube arrangements. For purpose of illustration, the structural details of the cleat base, cleat member, guide tube and cleat post along with the keeper member will be understood to be identical to that explained with respect toFIGS. 2 and 3. InFIG. 9, the cleat member is shown in the retracted position and is seen to include a resilient annular contact ring49which may be in the form of a well known O-ring seal or the like composed of an elastomeric material such as described for the keeper member31. As shown inFIGS. 9 and 9A, the ring49is mounted in an annular recess51formed in the reduced diameter opening in the guide tube18. In this embodiment, the elastomeric ring49provides a second annular cushioned contact and guide structure for the reciprocating post16within the clearance provided between the post and the guide tube. Since the contact areas of the ring49and the expandable elastomeric guide member and keeper31are spaced, even with the cleat in the raised position, vibration and rattling of the cleat member within the cleat base is substantially eliminated and the contact ring49maintains the post in alignment with the tube during its travel. It will be understood, of course, that with the use of a continuous O-ring configuration for the ring49, it may be unnecessary to provide drainage channels in the keeper member31if reliance is had on the O-ring to prevent moisture from entering the lower part of the guide tube. However, the channeled or grooved keeper31in any event will insure against collection of moisture in the guide tube. It will be understood that the guide structure or ring49need not be a closed or continuous ring but may comprise a split or segmented grouping for multiple cushion points if the O-ring49is not relied upon as a seal. Either configuration will be designed, of course, to provide a second point or set of points spaced from the keeper31for preventing or dampening vibration of the post within the guide tube.

FIGS. 10,10A and10B illustrate another modification of a vibration dampening structure wherein a second set of points or areas of cushioned contact between the cleat post and guide tube is provided by a guide structure including a series of axially elongated spaced contact pads or segments52. The segments52are mounted in circumferentially spaced recesses53arranged about the post16in the upper end of the guide tube18. The pads or segments52may also be constructed of an elastomer or other cushioning material and may be of the same composition as the material used in the keeper member31. Referring toFIGS. 10A and 10B, the segments52are sized so as to fit snugly and be retained in the annular recesses53in the upper portion of the guide tube, axially spaced from the keeper31. It will be noted that the surface contact between the segments52and the post16provides a sliding contact which will inherently produce some drag or frictional force on the reciprocating post. If desired, this may be utilized to augment the sliding frictional contact provided by keeper31. Circumferential spacing of the segments also provides drainage channels in the manner previously described.

FIG. 10Cillustrates still another embodiment wherein the second area of cushioned contact is provided by a guide structure including a somewhat elongated elastomeric cylindrical sleeve54. In this embodiment, the sleeve54has a cylindrical inside surface which is faceted so as to form alternate ribs and grooves56and57respectively, providing a sliding contact with the outer surface of the cleat post16. The grooves57may function to allow passage of water or other fluids and debris downwardly through the guide tube and past the keeper31. In the alternative, a continuous inside surface may be provided on the sleeve54if it is desired to provide both a fluid seal and a dampening function between the post and guide tube. In sizing the inner diameter of the sleeve54, it may be desirable to provide for a tight sliding frictional contact between the sleeve and the surface of the post much in the same manner as between the keeper31and the guide tube surface. If this approach is utilized, it will augment the retention function of the keeper31as well as provide a guide and vibration dampening for the assembly. As explained in the case of the keeper31, the contact surface between the tubular guide sleeve54and the post may be provided with any known friction enhancing treatment to provide the desired degree of retention therebetween. It will also be understood that the details of the configuration of the ribs and grooves on the sleeve54may be altered for the purpose of adequate fluid passage and/or frictional engagement desired.

FIG. 11illustrates a modification of the elastomeric member attached to the bottom end of the guide post16. In this embodiment the member31acomprises an elastomeric disc or washer which may be attached to the bottom end of the post16in the same manner as previously described for the elongated keeper element31. Although the precise thickness of the disc31amay be varied, the preferred thickness is in the range of 3/16–¼ inches and the disc may be made from the same material described for keeper31or any other suitable elastomeric material. It is to be understood that, while a preferred range has been stated, the washer may exceed the stated dimensional range in either direction without departing from the broader scope of the invention. The same rigid washers33and34may be used to clamp the elastomeric disc to the terminal end of the post16by means of the screw threaded member32. In this instance, the disc shaped washer33ais not radially expandable to any significant degree due to its relatively thin vertical cross section but, since it has no appreciable axial elongation, needs only to be sized to contact the inside surface of the guide tube18so as to act as a guide member and to restrain any substantial lateral movement of the post end within the guide tube. The disc is preferably sized to provide a certain amount of wiping action “drag” so as to create restraining action on the telescoping movement of the post within the guide tube18. In this embodiment, the washers33and34will also prevent any “rolling” of the thin washer as it moves along the tube wall. In any event the combined “drag” or sliding friction provided by the washer31aand any other second guide structure will be chosen to provide the restraining force necessary to hold the cleat in any selected position along its travel path. If drainage past the washer31ais desired, notches or cut-away areas may be made in the peripheral edge of the disc, forming a scalloped peripheral edge. This alternative embodiment is illustrated inFIG. 11Awherein the elastomeric disc31bis provided with cut-away or notched areas31cin the outer peripheral edge forming the scalloped washer to provide a drainage path. The cut-away areas31c, of course, may be of any configuration and the peripheral spacing varied to permit the volume of drainage desired.

Referring toFIG. 11, the guide structure or contact cylinder54, as illustrated and described with reference toFIG. 10C, may be utilized in the upper end of the guide tube18to provide additional restraint or retention on the telescoping action of the post and guide tube. These elements will be sized so as to provide adequate restraint on the movement of the post so as to be positionable at any point of adjustment along its travel path. It will also be understood that, instead of the cylindrical sleeve54described, segmented contact pads, an elastomeric O-ring49, or its variations of guide structure described may be utilized for providing the second spaced cushioned contact between the cleat post and guide tube to obtain the vibration dampening or rattle prevention described.

FIGS. 11B and 11Cillustrate an alternative structure for providing liquid drainage from the guide tube18by means of drainage channels located on the inside surface of the tube. As shown inFIGS. 11B and 11C, the inside surface36of the guide tube18is provided with one or more liquid drainage channels64which are arranged about the inside peripheral surface of the tube. These drainage channels may be of any design and cross section and of sufficient dimensions to drain whatever moisture may collect in the tube around the keeper31a. If multiple channels are utilized, they may be strategically placed about the keeper element and may extend a sufficient distance along the length of the tube in order to provide adequate drainage. It will be understood, of course, that the drainage channel configuration shown inFIGS. 11B and 11Cmay be utilized with any configuration of elastomeric keeper element and may also be utilized as an alternative to providing water passage around any design of guide element as previously described. Thus the drain channel or channels64may provide the total drainage required or may be utilized to augment the drainage capabilities of the grooved keeper and cleat post guide structures described.

FIGS. 12 and 13illustrate alternative structures wherein, as shown inFIG. 12, the O-ring or annular guide structure and cushioning element49a, similar to that shown at49inFIG. 9, may be mounted in a suitable annular recess58in the cleat post16. In this embodiment, it may be necessary to lengthen the reduced diameter opening in the upper wall59of the guide tube in order to retain the O-ring guide structure within the reduced diameter opening throughout the travel path of the post between its extreme extended and retracted positions. It will be understood also that the ring49aneed not be a closed ring but may comprise a split or segmented grouping for multiple cushion points if the ring is not relied upon as a seal.FIG. 13illustrates a similar arrangement wherein the elastomeric sleeve54aguide structure is mounted in a suitable recess61in the surface of the cleat post. In this embodiment it may also be necessary to extend the length of the reduced diameter opening of the upper guide tube wall as shown at62to insure that the guide sleeve remains within the confines of the upper wall portion throughout the travel path of the cleat post between its raised and retracted positions. The details of the guide sleeve structure and its composition may be identical to that previously described except for the fact that the ribs and grooves of the sleeve54awould, of course, be formed on the outside surface of the guide sleeve so as to contact the inside surface63of the guide tube wall as illustrated inFIG. 13. It would also be possible, of course, to utilize either the elongated keeper configuration31or the relatively thin elastomeric disc31aas shown and described in connection with theFIG. 11embodiment. Further, as described and illustrated in theFIG. 10Bembodiment, it will be apparent that a second contact between the cleat post and guide tube may be provided by a guide structure including a series of axially elongated circumferentially spaced segments mounted in suitable recesses in the post surface.

The present pull-up cleat assembly concept in its broadest scope provides significant improvements in retractable cleat positioning structure allowing for infinitesimal incremental position adjustments and a single handed manipulation for operating the cleat and securing a line thereto. Additional novel improvement may also be provided by damping or eliminating rattling of the clamp post within the guide tube due to engine or vehicle travel vibrations. Simplicity of structure is achieved, avoiding the necessity of moving mechanical parts and consequent wear and replacement problems. The elastomeric keeper elements are extremely reliable, durable and inexpensive to manufacture and capable of adjustment, both initially and to compensate for subsequent wear.

Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described herein with certain modifications, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is made by way of example and that various other embodiments and modifications are possible without departing from the inventive concept and are included within the scope of the following claims, which claimed subject matter is regarded as the invention. For instance, although the cleat tube and post configuration has been illustrated as being constructed of right circular cross sectional members in a traditional manner, it will be understood that other cross sectional configurations for these members may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and are to be considered to be covered by the appended claims unless otherwise limited. The aim of the appended claims therefore is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.