Rope securing device

Rope securing device, or cleat, comprising a support having two upright sides in which two ends are inclined and the other ends have a recess designed to hold a rope. A support bar between the sides aids in holding the rope.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to a rope securing device and more particularly to a 
retaining cleat adapted for boats to secure a rope or line against 
slippage. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The use of a cleat to hold a rope taunt, especially in sailing is well 
known. Such cleats retain sail ropes and hold the sails fast. During 
maneuvering of a boat, during tacking, jibbing or the like, it is 
necessary to quickly set and release these sail ropes. In sailboats 
holding one sailor, it is important that the boat is equipped with devices 
which allow a quick and easy release of the rope and also an easy method 
of fastening the sail ropes. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
This invention provides such a device. Specifically, the device comprises: 
(1) A flat support (or base), 
(2) Two parallel substantially upright side members extending from said 
support; 
(a) the two ends of each side member at one end of the support being 
substantially identically gradually inclined with respect to the support 
in a direction toward the other end of the support with the degree of 
inclination changing to provide a convex appearance of the ends, 
(b) the other two ends of each side member each having a substantially 
identical wedge-shape cavity (recess) inclined toward said support, 
(3) A support bar protruding from the inside wall of one side member and 
extending toward the inside wall of the other side member, said support 
bar constructed and arranged to guide a rope looped around said bar.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
The rope securing device of this invention employs shaped surfaces to 
retain a rope and provides a means to quickly and easily release the rope. 
The rope can be any type e.g. hawser, or twisted core, usually composed of 
cotton, hemp, sisal, or plastic such as nylon, polypropylene and the like. 
The term "rope" used herein includes all these. 
Referring to FIGS. 1-4, the device 10 can be made, if desired, from a 
single (integral) piece of metal or plastic, such as a casting of 
malleable iron or brass, a molding of strengthened polyoxymethylene, 
polyamide or a polyester resin, a mixture of these metals and resins or 
the like. The device comprises a flat support 11 and sides 12 and 13. The 
support is preferably substantially rectangular but can be of any other 
desired shape so long as the two sides are generally upright and parallel 
with one another. The support is adapted to attach to a substrate surface 
such as boat rail or hull by means of fastening devices (not shown) such 
as screws or clamps or the like. However, the device can be used for other 
applications requiring a method of securing a rope. 
The device is positioned, in practice, so that the two sides are 
substantially parallel with the linear direction of the rope to be held. 
The ends of the sides positioned away from the source of the rope (i.e. 
the rear of the device) are inclined with respect to the plane of the 
support. The inclination is in the general direction of the front of the 
device i.e. the portion nearest the source of the rope, and the degree of 
inclination changes along the end at 14 to provide a means to aid in 
holding a taunt rope. The degree of inclination is not critical, so long 
as the degree changes at some point (preferably between about one-half to 
two-thirds the way up the inclination) along the inclined end. For 
example, near the base of the side the degree of inclination may range 
from about 25 to 60 degrees measured from the plane of the support and 
after the change in inclination at point 14, may range from about 75 to 90 
degrees from the plane of the support. After the change in degree, the 
inclination will be greater (measured from the plane of support) than 
before and will be great enough to ensure that a taunt rope will be held 
thereby. 
The front ends of the sides each are provided with an identical wedge 
shaped cavity or recess 15 which extends in a general direction toward the 
center base of the support. Ordinarily, all edges of the device will be 
rounded to reduce friction on the rope. 
In addition, a support bar or lug 16 is attached or is integral with at 
least one interior wall of one side of the device. The bar extends at 
least part way toward the other interior wall and is constructed and 
arranged to guide a rope around the bar. Preferably, the cross-section of 
the bar is round. In FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, three different types of bars are 
depicted. Preferably, when the bar is viewed along its length, it has a 
concave shape as seen in FIGS. 1, 3, and 7. Preferably also, the bar will 
not extend to the other wall as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, but will extend 
only part way (most preferably about or less than half way toward the 
other wall as shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 7). 
In operation and referring to FIG. 4, to fasten a rope to the device, the 
rope is passed around bar 16, caught in recess 15 of side 12, passed 
around the outside of the device so that the rope catches at the change in 
inclination 14 of the rear of sides 12 and 13, caught in recess 15 of side 
13 and passed out the rear of the device under the portion of the rope 
crossing points 14 to form a tail 17. 
A primary advantage of this invention lies in the ease with which the rope 
is released. To release the rope, the tail 17 of the rope is pulled up 
over the top of the device. This motion forces the portion of the rope 
stretching between inclination change points 14 up over the top of the 
device and releases the entire rope from the device.