Abstract:
A mooring pendant apparatus for releasably coupling and decoupling a boat, the apparatus having a clip comprising hook and ring sections, with an opening therebetween defining a mouth. The ring section consists of a pair of loaded holes and an access of rotation hole. A movable arm is biased such that the mouth is kept closed, and it only opens upon activation by a boater who pulls on a cable causing a functional retractor arm to create a greater force on the movable arm that the force keeping it shut, therein causing it to open. A mooring rope is attached to the apparatus which operates as an extension of the boater&#39;s arm, and it can be utilized either by keeping the apparatus on the boat or leaving it connected to the mooring line and also to the mooring ball.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to an apparatus for releasably coupling and decoupling a clip as to facilitate mooring a boat. More specifically, the apparatus allows for easier attachment of a mooring line to the bow of a boat. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Pleasure boats, such as yachts and small boats, are often moored to either a dock rail or a mooring buoy. The mooring line is tied around the dock rail or through a mooring ring on a buoy. Preferably the mooring line is tied to a ring or eye member that is found on the bow of the boat. Because of the difficulty in securing a mooring rope to a relatively remote eye member, such as one found on the bow of a boat, the boater often omits this procedure and only ties the boat to the cleats on the top surface of the boat. The difficulty created in trying to tie the rope to the buoy ring may be just as hard because the boater must reach down for the buoy and then often must pull it up to tie the line. If the mooring line cannot be pulled up, due to factors such as weight or tension in its anchor line, a second person is usually required. The problem encountered in trying to tie a mooring rope to the ring on the bow of a boat is usually due to the awkward position in which most bow rings are located. Reaching over and trying to reach the bow ring may be very hazardous to a boater, especially in rough waters. An unassisted boater may even find it impossible to moor his boat. It may be especially difficult to attach and detach a tie line to a mooring buoy or a boat bow ring or eyelet, in situations where a boat is not small enough to permit the user to reach down and manually fasten or unfasten the clip which secures the tie line to the mooring buoy or bow ring. Also, tying the mooring line to cleats on the deck of the boat creates chafe which can weaken and eventually cause failure of the mooring line. And, with more boats being built with pop-up or pull-up cleats there is the problem of failure from the constant stress of the mooring line. When the freeboard is large, the boatsman must use a long boat hook or gaff to reach down and snag the mooring line and lift it up to height where he can manually snap or unsnap the clip from the buoy or bow eye member. 
     Remote control attachment assemblies are commercially available and such assemblies usually comprise a slide member designed to be attached to a conventional elongated boat hook and then retain the hook in an open position. This enables the open hook to engage the eye member of the mooring buoy or bow ring. Such assemblies are often difficult to use. The present invention has found that the type of devices that are generally considered the easiest to operate are those that employ a long rod which may be employed as an extension of the boater&#39;s arm and wherein the opening and closing of the clip by a remote means eases the burden of the procedure. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention overcomes the problems outlined above and provides a safe and convenient clip for docking a boat to a mooring structure with the aid of a pendant mooring apparatus. The apparatus releasably couples or decouples to an eyelet on the bow of the boat or to a buoy. The apparatus includes a clip that may open and close for attachment or release. The clip is formed from a hook and an integral ring section which form an opening or mouth therebetween. There are three holes defined on the perimeter of the ring which also has an open portion in the center. The holes include first and second loaded holes and a movable arm having extended legs that friction fit into the loaded holes by such design and location that the movable arm is biased into a closing position on the clip. There is also an access of rotation hole in the ring section which coordinates with a functional retractor arm to activate the opening and closing of the mouth. The retractor arm includes lower and upper arm sections forming an angular deviation in relationship to each other, and a lever arm that with bias frictionally fits into the access of rotation hole to maintain the retractor arm in a state of rotational torque. The retractor arm is in functional contact with the movable arm and upon activation of a greater force by the boater the mouth of the clip is opened. 
     An embodiment of the invention employs a central rod having means for connecting a first end to the ring section of the clip and a second end containing a displaced eyelet for fastening of a mooring line. A cable, which has one end attached to the retractor arm and an opposing end attached to a handle, will activate the apparatus upon being pulled such that the clip opens and then will close when the pull on the cable is eased. 
     One embodiment utilizes a cable guide that is affixed to the central rod for maintaining control and alignment of the cable. A fixed handle is usually used to create a grip for the user. 
     While many other materials may be used, the clip, central rod and displaced ring of the mooring pendant apparatus are preferably formed out of stainless steel or brass and also may be cast or forged. When not cast the rod is integrally connected to the clip by welding. The cable is preferably formed from aircraft cable in order to cope with the harsh conditions of water and weather. The displaced eyelet may be expanded to include multiple eyelets for attachment of multiple mooring ropes, and may be affixed to the mooring line or may be connected at the time of use, thus keeping it on board the boat as opposed to keeping it connected to the mooring line and mooring ball. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an elevational front view of an apparatus for mooring a boat, according to the present invention, and is shown in a closed position. 
         FIG. 2  is an elevational front view of the clip part of the apparatus with the cable guide containing the central rod and cable. 
         FIG. 2   a  is a left elevational view of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 2   b  is a right elevational view of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-section front view of the cable guide. 
         FIG. 3   a  is a cross-sectional top view of the cable guide taken along line A-A of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the fixed handle of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4   a  is a cross-sectional view of the fixed handle taken along line B-B of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 5  is an elevational front view of an embodiment of the invention having a mooring ball as a movable handle. 
         FIG. 6  is an elevational view of another embodiment of the invention depicting an alternate location for the mooring ball and deploying the cable on the inside of the central rod. 
         FIG. 7  is a front elevational view of the top portion of another embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 7   a  is a left elevational view of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 8  is a front elevational view of the top portion of another embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 8   a  is a right elevational view of  FIG. 8 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the Figures. Some terms used in such description and in the appended claims are defined below. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the illustrated mooring pendant apparatus  20  is comprised of the following portions: a clip  22 ; a central rod  24 ; a cable  26  that when pulled or released controls the clip  22 ; handles, both a fixed handle  28 , and a movable handle  30 ; a cable guide  32 ; and a displaced eyelet  34 . The pendant apparatus  20  facilitates the placement and removal of the clip  22  from a boat ring or a mooring ball (not shown). The clip  22  connects to the boat ring and/or to a mooring ball through the medium of a rope for the proper securing of the watercraft while in the water. The boater often keeps the apparatus onboard and connects to the mooring line at the time of use. The apparatus  20  aids the boater in attaching the clip to the boat ring/eyelet that is located on the bow of the boat, which often is a very difficult place to reach. The design and location of boat rings were carefully engineered for function, therein they are usually placed for an attachment which is closer to the surface of the water, which inherently reducing stress by lowering the center of gravity and rotation and by utilization of the framework of the boat to handle stress. The use of the present invention not only helps the boater with the ease of placement and removal of the clip  22  but also aids in the proper stabilization of the boat when moored. 
     The present invention alters one of the more common commercially available clips and employs it in a most novel manner. As best illustrated in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  2   a  and  2   b , the clip  22  is comprised of: a hook section  36 ; a ring section  38  having a central opening  40  wherein a mooring line  42  may optionally be tied; a movable arm  44  for opening and closing the mouth of the clip  22 ; access of rotation hole  46  defined in the ring  38  at a unique site for allowing the axis of rotation of a functional retractor arm  48  that serves as a lever to the movable arm  44 . The retractor arm  48  is comprised of: a looped section  50  which is connected to a pull cable  26  (discussed below); lower and upper arm sections  54 ,  56  forming a variable angular deviation in relationship to each other; a functional contact section  58  for engaging the movable arm  44  into an open or shut position upon activation; and, a variable curved lever arm  60  having at a distal end an extension piece  62  that is frictionally fit with great bias into the axis of rotation hole  46 , and therein creates the torque rotation axis for the retractor arm  48 . The movable arm  44  of the clip  22  has an upper bridge  64  that is locked by snap-fitting into a hook  66  therein closing the mouth  67  of the clip. The movable arm  44  has a first leg  69  with an insertion piece  68  on the distal end that friction fits into a lower opening  70  in the ring  38 , and a second leg  71 , which is a little shorter in length than the first and having on its distal end an insertion piece  72  which friction fits into an upper opening  74  in the ring  38 . Because of the length of the legs  69 ,  71 , and their positioning into non-concentric holes  70 ,  74  of the ring  38 , the movable arm  44  is placed in a biased position which inherently closes the clip  22 . The site for the access of rotation hole  46  was carefully chosen to insure that the clip would not be weakened structurally. The design of the movable arm and the manner it is bent is part of the inventive concept. Such a design allows for the movable arm to be placed under tension resulting in it&#39;s natural state of closure. As previously stated, it is preferred that the clip  22  be manufactured from a solid piece of stainless steel, however brass or some other corrosion resistant material may be utilized without compromising the inventive concept. 
     A first end  25  of the central rod  24  is permanently attached to the ring  38  by welding, or some other conventional fashion and the rod then extends in succession: through the cable guide  32 , then the movable handle  30 , and lastly through the fixed handle  28  to a place wherein a second end  27  attaches to a displaced eyelet  34 . The eyelet having an opening  84  defined therein for tying a mooring rope/line  42 . For securing and controlling the cable  26 , a cable guide  32  is provided which is shown in  FIG. 2 , and in greater detail in  3  and  3   a . The cable guide  32  should offer the least angulation of the pull from the retractor arm  48 . The guide  32  has a beveled conduit  78  for accepting the cable  26  and then minimizing the resistance therein. There is also a channel  80  defined in the center section of the guide for accepting the central rod  24 , and multiple threaded holes  82  for insertion of inset screws (conventional screws) to keep the guide attached to the rod. 
     The mooring line  42  referred to above is usually a strong and sturdy rope. While the instant invention prefers the mooring line to be connected to the displaced eyelet  34 , it can also be placed on the ring  38 , although when placed on the ring  38  a tight fit is created making it rather difficult to control both the rope and the clip  22 . The present invention envisions using the displaced eyelet  34  to affix the mooring line and yet still having the ability to consider the floating of the apparatus when it is not connected to the bow ring on the boat. If the mooring pendant apparatus  20  does not float, then it needs to be placed on or near the mooring ball rather than risk having it sink. When in use the mooring pendant apparatus  20  is connected to the bow ring and serves as an extension of the user&#39;s arm. When the mooring line and apparatus  20  are kept in the boat, the connectivity is usually made to the displaced ring  34  and then the boater connects the apparatus  20  to the bow ring. A second line is usually connected to one or more of the cleats on the boat and depending on the length of the central rod  24  the pendant apparatus  20  can be used to retrieve the mooring line  42 . The length of the pendant apparatus  20  is a variable based on how much a boater can handle. Since it is an extension of one&#39;s arm it is very easy to reach and secure the line to the bow ring, providing it is kept to a reasonable weight. 
     As described already, the movable arm  44  is the active part of the clip  22 , as this is where the tension is created as a result of the design of the length of the legs  69 ,  71  and their positioning that keep the movable arm biased in the closed position. This is the functional component of the clip, since by pulling the cable  26 , the mouth of the clip  22  opens, and by releasing the cable  26 , the mouth closes. 
     The ring  38  section of the clip  22  serves three functions. First, it can house the mooring line, although our preferred housing place as previously stated, is at the displaced eyelet  34  site, secondly because a specific location was chosen on the ring  38  to place an access of rotation hole  46  (the only location which will not possibly effect the integrity of the clip  22 , i.e. does not weaken it). The size of the access hole  46  is a function of the size of the retractor arm  48  which is in turn determined by the size of the clip  22 . The retractor arm  48  has a curved lever arm  60  with an extension piece  62  inserted into the access hole  46  with great bias. The open ring structure is maintained because it allows for connection to the mooring line, if so desired, and yet still be in contact with the retractor arm  48  for easy opening and closing. If the apparatus is cast, and the ring subsequently is filled solid, such that there is no central opening  40  in the ring  38  to tie the mooring rope, the inventive concept still exists as long as the ring shape was maintained. And thirdly, the importance of the ring structure is that when the remaining two holes on the ring, the lower hole  70  which accommodates the first insertion piece  68  from the distal end of the first leg  69  of the movable arm  44 , and the upper hole  74  accommodating a second insertion piece  72  from the shorter second leg  71  of the movable arm, are coordinated and work as designed, a tension is created resulting in the bridge section  64  of the movable arm  44  locking within the hook  66  of the clip  22 . 
     The present invention preferably has the mooring line  42  tied to the displaced eyelet  34 . In this design the mooring line is thus displaced away from the clip  22  to avoid the tight spacing if it were tied to the ring  38  on the clip  22 , and also so that it cannot interfere with the function of the movable arm  44  or retractor arm  48 . This design also displaces the weight of the mooring line to an area further back, thus creating better leverage. While any geometric configuration for the ring may be used, such as a pear shaped design which could offer more room for the mooring line, or a large oval or large triangular form, the line angles must be round to avoid chafing the mooring line when in motion. As previously stated, the displaced eyelet  34  may have a plurality of rings at the end of the rod, therein allowing for more than one mooring line to be connected. 
     The central rod  24  serves as an extension of one&#39;s arm, and may be of any length or diameter or geometric configuration as well. The handles, fixed  28  and movable  30 , require a channel  80  to be of a size and shape to accommodate the central rod  24 . When a circular cross-sectional rod is used there may be a tendency for the movable handle to rotate on the rod. For this reason a preferred embodiment can have a hexagonal or oval shaped rod, and the rod may also have curvatures. The location of he cable guide  32  limits the rotation. 
     The cable  26  is maintained within a cable guide  32  that is illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 3   a . The cable guide  32  contains the cable from the retractor arm  48  to where it is alongside the rod  24  all while pulling the cable inward and close to the central rod  24 , therefore having the most tension placed on it. A conduit  78  at the entrance of the cable guide is beveled to allieviate chafing. The cable enters the guide  32  and exits the guide such that it is held in close alignment with the cental rod  24 . In the preferred embodiment the cable is exposed and only covered while in the conduit  78  and has its distal end affixed within the movable handle  30 . 
     The retractor arm  48  forms part of a unique design of the present invention. As previously cited, it has two arm sections, a lower arm section  54  and an upper arm section  56  which are bent in relationship to each other, therefore forming an angular deviation which may be variable. The bending of the retractor arm  48  lowers it such that it is in closer proximity to the rod  24 , and the angular deviation is a factor in the exertion necessary for the pull cable  26 . The contact section  58  of the retractor arm  48  maintains direct contact with the movable arm  44 . This provides the functional aspect of the invention, such that when the cable  26  is pulled, it exerts a rotational force around the axis of rotation within the access hole  46  thereby applying pressure on the movable arm  44  by pulling it backwards to cause it to separate from the hook  66  and thereby open. The reverse of this action is such that upon releasing the pull on the movable handle  30 , the cable tension is also lessened hereby closing the clip  22 . It is shown on  FIGS. 2 and 2   a , that the contact section  58  embraces both, the longer arm  69  and the shorter arm  71  sections of the movable arm  44  and by pulling on both sections evenly, there is no deviation or deformation caused by an uneven pull. This is best achieved by controlling the angle formed by the upper and lower arm sections  56 ,  54  of the retractor arm  48 . The angular deviation between the arm sections  56 ,  54  are variable. 
     The cable  26  can be made of any material having the strength and capability to handle salt water, controlled elongation under wet conditions, as well as the effects of warm or cold temperatures. Materials may include rope or aircraft cable, but any wire, cable or rope may be substituted provided it can cope with the harsh environment without any elongation problems. Aircraft cable is preferred for the present invention and it has shown excellent controlled elongation under wet conditions. If stainless steel is used, it is better if coated so that it is not be abrasive to the system or to the grasp of the user&#39;s hands. Lack of elongation is critical as any elongation of the cable would affect the distance in which the movable bar opens and closes, as the distance of the movable handle pull is essentially measured. As stated the cable  26  is attached to the looped section  50  of the retractor arm  48  and is secured with a ferrule clip  76 . The cable  26  freely moves through the beveled conduit  78  of the cable guide  32 , without hindrance or resistance, and connects to the movable handle  30 , wherein it is secured internally. In the present invention, the fixed handle  28  is connected to the rod  24  and the movable handle  30  is positioned at a certain distance above the fixed handle but not secured to the rod  24 . The distance between the fixed and movable handles is established by how much the movable handle  30  has to be pulled towards the fixed handle  28  for movable arm  44  to completely open the mouth of the clip. Therefore, it is critical that the cable maintain its length with no elongation allowed. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 4   a , the fixed handle  28  has a central elevated portion  88  which contains four (4) threaded holes  82  for insertion of a like number of inset screws (not shown) which connect the fixed handle  28  to the central rod  24 , and they are hidden and non-abrasive to the user. These inset screws preferably will be covered by either rubber or plastic caps to protect them from the elements. Both the fixed, and movable handles  28 ,  30 , and the cable guide  32  were designed such that their convex outermost parts act as bumpers when the hull is in a flax tide, and therein allow the system to come into contact with the bow of the boat. The fixed handle  28  functions to eliminate the need of the user to grasp and pull the movable handle  30  as well as the central rod  24  as a point of fixation. The present invention allows for a finger and hand grasp rather than just a hand grasp that may be not comfortable. Another benefit of the fixed handle  28  is not just the extreme comfort, but it also allows the user to finger hold the clip  22  in the open position and the approach to the bow ring can be approached in different directions and individual preferences. The center channel  80  through the movable handle  30  is slightly larger than the channel defined in the fixed handle  28  or the cable guide  32 . This allows it to have an ease of movement on the pull cable as varying temperatures may have an effect on handle materials such as plastics, metals or rubber. It is preferred that the handles and guides be molded in half sections and then joined together around the central rod  24 . The fixed handle  28  and the movable handle  30 , have the same basic parts, except that the inset screws of the fixed handle  28  secure it to the central rod  24 . The movable handle  30  also has an extension  31  in its top side to limit any possible warble of the handle once the pull is initiated. The set screws, as used with both the cable guide  32  and fixed handle  28 , have the function of securing each of them to the central rod  24 , while the set screws used in the movable handle  30  are mainly utilized for fixating the two halves of the handle and are not to make it integral with the central rod  24 . 
       FIG. 5  depicts an alternative mooring pendant apparatus which is referenced as apparatus  120 . The clip  122  is the same as shown in the preferred embodiment, but in this embodiment the retractor arm  148  has been altered slightly. The cable guide  32  has been replaced by a longitudinally shaped cable guide  132 , and the movable handle  30  has been replaced by a pull ball  130 . This alternate embodiment also presents a two sectioned retractor arm  148  but with a less severe angle. It is to be noted that the curved section  60  of  FIG. 1  now has two straight sections, an upper section  161  and a lower section  163 , with the lower section having an extension piece  162  that is rotatively friction fitted into the access of rotation hole  146 . The basic concept of activating the retractor arm  148  does not change with this embodiment as it still provides for a center of rotation through the same access hole  146 . This embodiment utilizes a cable guide  132 , which in addition to being affixed to the central rod  124 , has a more longitudinal tube shape and therein is able to control a greater length of the cable  126  internally through a conduit  180 . This conduit  180  is beveled at the upper entrance  133  to reduce stress. The purpose for this embodiment is that if the manufacturing process called for a cast structure, it would be easier to make, especially in eliminating the cable guide and movable handle of the preferred embodiment. The cable guide  132  is herein a singular tube concept which will allow for a pull that is off center yet still a very effective and proper pull. The lower site  135  where the pull cable  126  exits the guide is beveled outwardly.  FIG. 5  describes how a pull ball  130  is affixed to the cable  126  and makes it easier for pulling the cable. The pull ball  130  would be preferably made from a plastic or rubber material and convention methods can be used to attach it to the cable  126 . The fixed handle  128  is preferably to be plastic or rubber, but could be cast along with the central rod. If plastic is used, it can be friction fitted and affixed with screws as was the fixed handle  28  of the preferred invention. The displaced eyelet  134  maintains the structure of the preferred embodiment and shows a mooring line  142  connected therein. It is to be appreciated that the displaced eyelet  134  could also include a plurality of eyelets for multiple mooring lines. The typical operation of this embodiment would remain as an extension of one&#39;s hand, wherein the user takes the device  120  and connects to the mooring line  142  then pulls on the pull ball  130  with his hand simultaneously grasped on either the fixed handle  128  or the rod itself, and with the pull ball  130  grasped in his hand he can operate the opening and closing of the clip. Upon the clip  122  being secured on the bow ring of the boat or the mooring ring, the clip  122  is then closed by releasing tension on the cable  126 . When returning to use the boat, the user grabs the ball  130 , starts the initial pull and grabs the handle or the rod itself wherein the clip  122  opens and the apparatus is free from the boat ring. 
     Another embodiment  220  of the invention is shown on  FIG. 6 . The mooring line  242  is shown connected to the ring  238  and not to the displaced eyelet. This is a modification wherein the pull cable  226  is placed into an eyelet opening  225  defined in the central rod  224  that is designed to have the cable  226  pass through the entire length of the rod  224 , and whereupon exiting the bottom of the rod, it is then affixed to a pull ball  230 . This embodiment adds bulk to the apparatus  220  as the mooring line is added at the ring  238  of the clip. The mooring line effectively becomes a handle and it would not be a critical defect if the cable elong&#39;ated as it could still be adequately operated by the central rod  224 . This embodiment would require a flotation device or connection to the mooring ball  230  because of the heavy weight considerations that might cause it to sink. An added benefit of this embodiment is that the boater&#39;s vision is enhanced, because he now sees what he is accustomed to seeing which is a mooring rope connected to the boat ring. The rope also makes for a good bumper. 
     Another embodiment of the apparatus  320  is shown in  FIGS. 7 , and  7   a , wherein the access of rotation hole  346  has been removed from the previous location on the ring  338 , and repositioned to an external bar system  324 , which is used in lieu of the central rod  24  of the preferred embodiment, This re-design accommodates a retractor arm  348  (now angled upwards and therein altering the pull on the cable). The external bar system  324  provides for access by the cable  326  and has a beveled eyelet  325  whereby the cable enters and passes through the entire remaining bar  324  and exits at the bottom where it is affixed to a pull ball (not shown but previously described). The point of rotation herein is within the external bar system  324 , and outside of the mooring line  342  and has an upper end that in addition to housing the access of rotation hole  346 , also is affixed to a newly designed clip  322 , which connects the external bar  324  to the clip around the ring section and to the back side of the clip. This apparatus can be cast, welded or forged. The section closest to the clip  322  should be semi-lunar or half circular in shape to house the clip&#39;s main body including the ring structure. It is also anticipated that a variant of this embodiment of the invention could also house the access hole  346  in the ring as described previously in the preferred invention. The cable  326  can be connected to a ball as previously described. 
     A final embodiment of the invention  420 , shown on  FIGS. 8 and 8   a , also uses an upward angulation of the retractor  448  as previously discussed, and also an external rod system  424 , but still utilizes the original location of the preferred embodiment for the access of rotation hole  446  on the ring. This apparatus shows a structure operating with a triple function cable guide  432  to hold not just the mooring line/rope  424 , but also the cable  426  and external bar  424 . The cable guide  432  is sectional rather than providing a full length unit. 
     While it is apparent that the illustrative embodiments of the invention herein disclosed fulfill the objectives stated above, it will be appreciated that numerous modifications and other embodiments may be devised by those skilled in the art. Therefore, it will be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and embodiments which come within the spirit and scope of the present invention. It is anticipated that the apparatus has a variety of uses outside of watercraft uses.