Abstract:
A threadless fairlead assembly for a sailing vessel is provided, in which the C-shaped fairlead, or the double C-shaped body fairlead body has a channel which passes from the outside of the body to the aperture and is closed by a latch pin, this configuration allows a line to pass in and out of the assembly while remaining relatively parallel to the centerline of the aperture.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This patent application is a continuation in part application, claiming priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/857,116 titled Threadless Fairlead, filed on Apr. 4, 2013, which is pending. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    In general, a “fairlead” is a device used on marine vessels to lead and position ropes, lines or running rigging; for example, on a sailing vessel, the lines which are used to control the position and shape of a sail. Fairleads are employed to prevent extraneous binding, friction, and/or chafe on the lines or running rigging. 
         [0003]    A conventional fairlead generally comprises of a closed block which is mounted to a surface, the block has a through aperture passing perpendicular to the main face of the block which is used to capture the line. In order to capture a line with a conventional fairlead, the free end of the rope must be threaded and drawn through the block&#39;s aperture. “Threadless” fairleads are generally of an open configuration; the body not only has the through aperture but also has a channel which is set with its axis at an angle to the main axis of the aperture. The channel creates a free gap from the outside of the block to the inside aperture and allows for the release or capture of the line at any point along its length. As the channel is set at an angle to the main aperture, the line must be skewed to match this axis in order for the member to pass through the channel and locate in the aperture or of the reverse. After the line passes through the channel and enters the aperture, it then can assume the center line of the aperture to work within the fairlead body. This engagement or disengagement of the line via skewing can be particularly challenging and time consuming when the line is under tension or load. 
         [0004]    One type of threadless fairlead currently available in the market is shown in U.S. Pat. No. D564,342 and is shown as prior art in  FIG. 2 . Generally, the design incorporates a base  80  with two inverted, “j” shaped hooks  93  with each one of their respective ends affixed at locations on the base  80 ; the hooks are bent, parallel and the free ends point to each other; the curvature of the hooks are aligned to form an aperture. The hooks are offset and have a projected channel between them; wherein a rope would be skewed for insertion or extraction relative to the aperture. 
         [0005]    There is a need for a threadless fairlead, with the fairlead having improvements to allow for the expeditious engagement or disengagement of the line relative to the device, without having to skew the line in situations where the line is under tension or load. 
         [0006]    There is also a need for a threadless fairlead having an assembly including an open main body with aperture and a traversing latch pin with pull to provide closure. The fairlead main body is C-shaped which affords a rigid, fixed position for the aperture; the channel runs parallel to the base and opens to one side of the body. The channel and aperture have a width which is slightly larger than the largest diameter line that the fairlead can accept. A traversing latch pin moves vertically within a cavity in the body, the centerline of which is offset from the center of the aperture and runs perpendicular to it. This latch pin so provides the means to close and open the aperture. The latch pin seats in a cavity in the bottom of the channel at closure of the aperture. A pull pin extends from the latch pin and exits through the top of the body. The pull is secured to the latch pin and moves directly in relation, thus providing the means to actuate the mechanism. The latch pin may be spring loaded to force the channel to close but may also be free or magnetically latched. 
         [0007]    There is also a need for a threadless fairlead that greatly improves the functionality of the assembly in comparison with the prior art, especially in terms of allowing the sailor to easily couple or release the line and fairlead without the need to skew the line in situations where the line is under tension or load. Also, the method for release allows for the actuation to occur more expeditiously than with prior art constraints and in comparison with conventional fairleads, allows for the line to be released at any point along its length. The design may have dimensions which are scaled to provide use with different sizes or types of lines. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    One aspect of the present invention is a threadless fairlead assembly for receiving a line, comprising: a fairlead having a C-shaped body having a channel which provides a gap from the outside of the body to a fairlead aperture, said fairlead having dimensions permitting said line to pass laterally through said channel and locate in said fairlead aperture while permitting said line to be relatively parallel to the centerline of said aperture; said channel is defined by said base upper surface and a lower surface of top portion; and a pull pin oriented substantially vertical so as to provide the means to close and open said channel. 
         [0009]    Another aspect is a threadless fairlead assembly for receiving a line, said assembly comprising at least one of either a double sided C-shaped body or a single C-shaped body, having a channel defined by a fairlead aperture, a lower surface of a top portion, and a base upper surface; a latch pin integral with a pull pin for capture of said line, said latch pin located within a latch pin cavity; and said latch pin oriented substantially vertical so as to provide a means to close and open said fairlead aperture to displace said latch pin relative to said latch pin cavity. 
         [0010]    A third aspect of the present invention is a threadless fairlead assembly for receiving a line, consisting of: at least one C-shaped body having a channel which provides a gap from the outside of the body to a fairlead aperture, said fairlead having dimensions permitting said line to pass laterally through said channel and locate in said fairlead aperture while permitting said line to be relatively parallel to the centerline of said aperture; said channel is defined by said base upper surface and a lower surface of top portion; a pull pin integral with a latch pin oriented substantially vertical; and said latch pin can be disposed in an open position and a closed position. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a threadless fairlead assembly of the present invention with both latch pins in closed position holding a line on a boat. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing an example of a prior art threadless fairlead. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a top view of an embodiment of a threadless fairlead assembly of the present invention with section line in parallel to the main face of the body and located in the middle of the body. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a section view of an assembly with section plane established in  FIG. 3 . The latch pin on the right is shown in the closed position and the latch pin on the left is in the open position. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing the threadless fairlead assembly of the present invention with latch pins in an open position  130 , resting on the top of the body. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention having a single C-shaped body. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference Numerals 
       [0017]      10  threadless fairlead 
         [0018]      11  double C-Shaped body 
         [0019]      12  channel 
         [0020]      14  aperture 
         [0021]      17  spring 
         [0022]      18  mounting hole 
         [0023]      23  latch pin 
         [0024]      39  pull pin 
         [0025]      45  vertical cavity or latch pin cavity 
         [0026]      55  latch pin centerline 
         [0027]      56  base 
         [0028]      62  aperture centerline 
         [0029]      70  depression 
         [0030]      80  pin face 
         [0031]      90  angular direction 
         [0032]      100  line or rope 
         [0033]      110  biasing means 
         [0034]      120  closed position 
         [0035]      130  open position 
         [0036]      140  base upper surface 
         [0037]      150  top portion 
         [0038]      160  lower surface of top portion 
         [0039]      FIG. 1  illustrates one embodiment of the threadless fairlead of the present invention  10 . A threadless fairlead  10  is illustrated on a boat, with a line  100  or rope  100  disposed in both apertures  14  and the latch pin  23  in the closed position. The latch pin  32  may be biased downwardly by a biasing means  110 . In one embodiment the biasing means  110  may be a spring  17 . In another embodiment the biasing means  110  may be a magnet. 
         [0040]    The threadless fairlead  10  may have two opposed C-shaped bodies  11  which may define a channel  12 , or two channels to receive a line  100 . When the latch pin  23  is in the closed position  120  the line  100  may be disposed in the aperture  14 . The channel  12  may be defined by the lower surface of top portion  160  and the base upper surface  140 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 2  illustrates an embodiment of a prior art fairlead. 
         [0042]      FIG. 3  illustrates an embodiment of a top view of the double C-shaped body  11 . A pull pin  39  is illustrated in the closed position  120 . The threadless fairlead  10  may have a mounting hole  18  to mount the threadless fairlead to a boat. An aperture centerline  62  is also illustrated. The latch pin centerline  55  is also illustrated, and may be offset from the aperture centerline  62 .  FIG. 3  also illustrates how the latch pin  23  may rotate in an angular direction  90 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 4  illustrates an embodiment of the present invention  10 . The threadless fairlead  10  may have a double C-shaped body  11 , made of two opposed C-shaped bodies. A right latch pin  23  is illustrated in the closed position  120 . A left latch pin  23  is illustrated in the open position  130 . The pull pin  39  may have a pin face  80  that may rest or be positioned on the top of the double C-shaped body  11  or top of the threadless fairlead  10  to maintain or position the latch pin  23  in the open position  130 . The biasing means  110  may force or bias the latch pin  23  and thus the pull pin  30  downwardly. So when the pin face  80  is not placed against the top of the threadless fairlead  10  or top of the body  11 , the latch pin  23  and pull pin  39  is pushed or biased downwardly in the closed position  120 . The aperture centerlines  62  are disposed outwardly from the latch pin centerlines  55 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 5  illustrates another embodiment of the threadless fairlead  10  and the double C-shaped body  11 . Both latch pins  23  and pull pins  39  are shown in the open position  130 .  FIG. 5  also illustrates an angular direction  90  by which the latch pin  23  may rotate. This allows the pin face  80  to be rotated  360  degrees and the pin face  80  may rest upon the top of the threadless fairlead  10  or top of the double C-shaped body  11 . And the pull pin  39  may rotate so as to be displaced so the pin face  80  is not contacting the top of the threadless fairlead  10  or the double C-shaped body  11 , or the single C-shaped body  111 , and rotated or displaced so the pull pin  39  can be placed in the closed position  120 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 6  illustrates another embodiment of the present invention  10  having a single aperture  14  and single C-shaped body  111 . The pull pin  39  may be integrally connected or an extension of the latch pin  23 . When the latch pin  23  is in the closed position  120 . As illustrated and disclosed above for the previously disclosed threadless fairlead  10  having two opposed C-shaped bodies  11 , the threadless fairlead  10  having a single C-shaped body  111  may have the same operable components. For example, the pin face  80  may be displaced upwardly and angularly displaced  90  so the pin face  80  can be disposed on the top of the threadless fairlead  10  or C-shaped body  111  to maintain the latch pin  23  in the open position  130  as in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . The C-shaped body  111  may have a mounting hole  18  disposed substantially vertically therein. A line  100  may be received and held in the aperture  14  when the latch pin  23  is in the closed position  120 . The C-shaped body  111  defines a channel  12  between the base upper surface  140  and a top portion  150  lower surface  160 . 
         [0046]      FIGS. 1, 3, 4 &amp; 5 and 6  Illustrate elements of the present invention and the combination of elements as an assembly. The assembly comprises a C-shaped body  111  or double C-shaped body  11 , which may be provided with mounting holes  18  so as to be affixed securely to a part of the sailing vessel, such as a spar, deck or any other solid surface (not shown). The C-shaped body  111  or double C-shaped body may be oriented with a flat base  56 , with the channel  12  parallel to this base  56  and open from the aperture  14  to the outside of the body  11 . The channel  12  and aperture  14  have a width which is slightly larger than the largest diameter line that the fairlead can accept. The C-shaped body  111  or double C-shaped body may have a vertical cavity  45  which is perpendicular to the channel  12  and base  11 , wherein, the latch pin  23  is located. The latch pin  23  moves within this cavity  45 , the centerline  55  of which is offset from the centerline of the aperture  62 . The distance from the centerline  55  of the latch pin  23  to the centerline  62  of the aperture  14  is established so that the line (as seen in  FIG. 1 ) is able to be contained, and work, without restriction, in the aperture  14 , as the latch pin  23  moves in and out of the channel  12 . The latch pin  23  so provides the means to close and open the aperture  14 . The latch pin  23  seats within a depression  70  in the bottom face of the channel  12  at closure of the aperture  14 . This depression  70  is of the same diameter as the latch pin cavity  45  and provides for a locating surface to counter lateral forces that may be witnessed by the latch pin  23 . If a lateral force is applied, the latch pin  23  acts upon the upper and lower portions of the body by its containment within the cavity  45  and lower depression  70 . A pull pin  39  may be affixed to the top of the latch pin  23  and extends through the top of the body  11 . 
         [0047]    Alternatively the latch pin  23  and pull pin  39  may be one integral component or pin having a latch portion  23  and a pull portion  39 . 
         [0048]    The pull pin  39  is bent to conform to the shape of the body  11  and to prevent snagging with extraneous lines, rigging or other objects (not shown). The pull pin  39  moves in in unison with, or in direct relationship with the latch pin  23  and thusly provides the means to actuate the latch pin  23 . The pull pin  39  may have a pin pace  80 . The pull pin  23  and latch pin  23  may rotate in an angular direction  90 , so the pin face  80  may rest on the top of the threadless fairlead  10  or double C-shaped body  11 . 
         [0049]    The latching mechanism can be forced to close with a spring  17  but could also be free or magnetically latched (not shown). 
         [0050]    Use of the present invention  10  could generally be described wherein the sailor would lift the pull pin  39  and thusly the latch pin  23 , opening the channel  12  to the aperture  14 . The rope or line could then be pulled laterally through the open channel  12  and brought into the aperture  14 . The sailor would then release the pull pin  39  and capture the line in the fairlead  10 . 
         [0051]    Release of the line from the fairlead  10  is generally where the pull pin  39  is used to lift the latch pin  23  clear of the channel  12 . The line is then pulled laterally from the aperture  14  to the outside of the body  10  and the pull pin  39  is released. The orientation of the line in both the removal and engagement of the line is generally such that the latch pin centerline  55  can be parallel to the aperture centerline  62 .