Abstract:
An attachment flange for buoys and marine fenders. The attachment flange includes an opening therethrough that includes a substantially continuously curved interior surface which engages a line to increase the surface contact area between the opening of the attachment flange and the line. The opening of the attachment flange further includes rounded edges which reduce the abrasion and localized stress applied to the line. The curved surface with the rounded edges enables the attachment flange to receive less concentrated forces applied thereto, which may extend the life of the attachment flange or may reduce the required reinforcement needed for a given application. The features disclosed herein also reduce the abrasion and concentration of force applied to the line coupled to the attachment flange which helps to prevent line wear and failure.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Marine devices such as marine fenders and buoys serve many boating uses. For example, boats generally deploy marine fenders when tying up at docks, jetties or against other boats to protect the boats from damage. The marine fenders may be formed of plastic and in many cases are hollow to allow for some deformation when absorbing the energy of an impact. The fenders are often deployed by using a line attached to the fender and tying the line to an attachment member on the boat, and positioning the fender to hang at the outward side of the boat. 
     Similarly, a line may be attached to a buoy and tied to another object. Buoys are typically used for marking objects in the water, such as navigational hazards, crab pots, fishing nets, mooring anchors, and the like. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a plurality of marine devices used as fenders in suspended positions against the outward side of a boat hull. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a front left perspective view of a marine device according to an embodiment with a shape typically used as a buoy. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a top view of the marine device shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a left side elevational view of the marine device of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a rear partial elevational view of the marine device of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a sectional view of the marine device taken substantially along the line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7A  illustrates a bottom perspective sectional view of a portion of an attachment flange of the marine device taken substantially along the line  7 A, 7 B- 7 A, 7 B of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7B  illustrates a bottom sectional view of a portion of the attachment flange of the marine device taken substantially along the line  7 A, 7 B- 7 A, 7 B of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a rear partial elevational view of the marine device with a line threaded through an opening thereof. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a sectional view of the marine device taken substantially along the line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 10  illustrates an enlarged view of a portion of  FIG. 9  that illustrates the contact between a line and the attachment flange. 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic view of the attachment flange illustrating various physical dimensions thereof. 
         FIG. 12  is a sectional view of the attachment flange of the marine device illustrating in dashed lines the contact between a line and the attachment flange when the line is threaded through the opening in an instance where relief portions of the attachment flange are not provided. 
         FIG. 13  is a sectional view of the attachment flange of the marine device illustrating in dashed lines the contact between a line and the attachment flange when the line is threaded through the opening in an instance where an upper surface of the opening of the attachment flange has a relatively large curvature that that would increase line abrasion by reducing the line contact surface area of the attachment flange. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following description, various embodiments will be described. For purposes of explanation, specific configurations and details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will also be apparent to one skilled in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without the specific details. Furthermore, well-known features may be omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the embodiment being described. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a boat  10  is shown that includes a hull  12  on which a rail  14  is mounted. Several marine devices  16  are shown used as marine fenders or “bumpers” attached to attachment members of the boat  10 , each via a line  18  tied to the marine device. The line  18  for each marine device  16  is tied to a cleat  20  fixedly attached to the boat  10  with the line extending over the rail  14  so as to suspend the marine device at a position below the rail at the outward side of the boat such that if the boat is urged against an object (e.g., a dock or another boat), all contact with that object is made through the fender. While the marine devices in  FIG. 1  are illustrated at tied to cleats  20 , the attachment members to which the lines  18  are tied may be other portions of the boat such as a rail. The lines  18  may in some situations be tied to other attachment members such as a dock. 
       FIGS. 2-13  illustrates the marine device  16  having the body shape typically used for buoys. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the marine device  16  includes a body portion  22  that may be hollow and inflatable via an inflation valve  24  (see  FIG. 2 ). The marine device  16  also includes a flange portion  26  or “ropehold” integrally formed with the body portion  22 , both being formed of a resilient material such as plastic. In some embodiments, the marine device  16  may be formed from ultraviolet resistant polyvinyl chloride (PVC). In some embodiments, the body portion  22  and the flange portion  26  may be formed from different materials and may be attached together using any suitable method. In the depicted embodiment, the body portion  22  is substantially globular (e.g., pear-shaped, teardrop shaped, spherical, etc.), but other shapes are contemplated (e.g., cylindrical, etc.). The body portion  22  of the marine device  16  has a first end  28  where the flange portion  26  is located and an opposite second end  30  which may or may not have another flange portion  26  attached when made for use as a marine fender. The marine devices  16  illustrated in the figures use a flange portion at only one end. When used as a marine fender, the first end  28  is typically positioned as shown in  FIG. 1  with the first end being the upper end positioned above the second end  30 . The marine device  16  will be described herein with respect to that orientation; however, a marine device used as a fender may also have an identical flange portion  26  at its second end  30  which allows lines ties to the two flange portions to be used to position the marine device horizontally. It should be appreciated that during use of the marine device  16  as a buoy tied to a submerged object such as a crab pot, the first end  28  of the body portion  22  will typically be located below the second end  30  and be submerged in the water. 
     The flange portion  26  is provided at the first end  28  of the body portion  22  and extends upwardly therefrom (when used with the orientation shown in  FIG. 2 ) along an axis of symmetry  31  of the body portion (see  FIG. 5 ). An aperture or opening  32  is provided in the flange portion  26  that extends transversely through the thickness or depth (D) thereof (see  FIG. 6 ) and serves as a line passageway. As shown best in  FIGS. 2-4 , the flange portion  26  may include a plurality of ribs  35  operative to provide structural reinforcement for the flange portion since the forces applied thereto may be relatively large when a line coupled thereto is taut and a force applied. As shown in  FIGS. 8-11 , the opening  32  has dimensions sufficient for a conventional line  18  with a diameter typically used with a marine fender or buoy having the particular size of the marine device boats. The line  18  passes through the opening and is used to accomplish attachment of the marine device  16  to a cleat, rail, crab pot or other object (e.g., the cleat  20  shown in  FIG. 1 ). 
     Although the term “marine device” is used herein, it should be appreciated that the present disclosure applies to marine fenders and buoys for nets, long lines, lobster and crab pots, and marking or supporting other objects, and other uses. Additionally, the particular shape of the body portion  22  of the marine device  16  may be varied as needed. 
     As shown best in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the opening  32  is generally rounded in cross-sectional shape and has a minimum height (H) and the depth (D) that extends between a first side surface  36  of the flange portion  26  whereat there is a first side surface opening of the opening  32  and a spaced-apart second side surface  38  of the flange portion  26  whereat there is a second side surface opening of the opening  32 . As shown best in  FIGS. 6, 7A, and 7B , an end portion  40  of the flange portion  26  is located adjacent to the opening  32 , on a side thereof axially outward of the body portion  22 , and has an axially inward facing interior line engagement surface  42  defining the shape of an axially outward portion  44  of the opening  32  which contacts the line  18  when attached to the flange portion. With the orientation of the marine device  16  shown in  FIGS. 5 AND 6 , as well as in other figures, the interior line engagement surface  42  is facing downward and the axially outward portion  44  of the opening  32  forms an upper portion of the opening. The axially outward portion  44  of the opening  32  includes a first recess or relief  46  extending from the first side surface  36  of the end portion  40  of the flange portion  26  toward the interior of the opening. The axially outward portion  44  of the opening  32  also include a second recess or relief  48  extending from the second side surface  38  of the end portion  40  of the flange portion  26  toward the interior of the opening. As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6  where the marine device  16  has an orientation typical for a marine fender when suspended from the line  18  for use, the first end  28  of the body portion  22  is located above the second body end  30 , thus the interior line engagement surface  42  is downward facing and described as such herein, however, when used as a buoy with the first end  28  of the body portion  22  below the second end  30 , the interior line engagement surface  42  would be upwardly facing. In both orientations, the interior line engagement surface  42  is the surface the line  18  engages and transmits to the flange portion  26  the force applied by the line when the marine device  16  is in use. 
     As used herein, the first relief  46 , second relief  48 , and an axially inward facing central portion  50  (downward facing in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , and others) of the end portion  40  of the flange portion  26  together form the interior line engagement surface  42  of the opening  32 . As shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the interior line engagement surface  42  of the opening  32  provides a substantially continuously and gradual curved surface, curving along its length away from the body portion  22 , and against which the line  18  bears and which transmits force between the flange portion  26  and the line  18 , thus eliminating any sharp edges, which would tend to damage or cut into the line  18  or possibly over stress the line when it is put under tension. As illustrated by the numerous small arrows in  FIG. 10 , the forces acting on the line  18  and the flange portion  26  are distributed substantially evenly along the length of the interior line engagement surface  42  of the opening  32 . Additionally, outermost portions  52  and  54  (see  FIG. 10 ) of the first and second reliefs  46  and  48 , respectively, are flared or rounded off to reduce sharp corners that would tend to increase line abrasion and reduce the area of the flange portion  26  that the line  18  contacts, which would have the effect of increasing the concentration of forces on portions of the line and the flange portion. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates a radius of curvature (R) of the interior line engagement surface  42  of the opening  32  relative to the minimum height (H) and relative to the depth (D) of the opening. The sizing of these dimensions may vary with the size of the marine device  16  and its load rating. The sizing may also vary dependent on the diameter and stiffness of the line  18  intended for use with the marine device  16 . For example, a relatively stiff line  18  that does not bend as easily may require the interior line engagement surface  42  of the opening  32  have less curvature so that a substantial length of the line  18  is in contact with the contact surface when a force is applied to the line. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates two edges  58  and  60  (shown in dashed lines) that would be present without the reliefs  46  and  48 . In this example, the curvature of a line contact surface  62  would be very small (i.e., a large radius of curvature R). As indicated by the two large arrows, relatively large forces would act on the line  18  and the flange portion  26  at the two edges  58  and  60  since the forces would be concentrated at the edges, rather than being spread more evenly along the substantially continuously curved downward facing upper surface as shown in  FIG. 10 . These concentrated forces at the edges  58  and  60  would tend to increase abrasion and localized stress on the line  18  and may lead to fraying and/or failure of the line. 
     Conversely,  FIG. 13  illustrates a contact surface  64  (in dashed lines) that has a relatively large curvature (small radius of curvature R). In this instance, due to the thickness and/or stiffness of the line  18 , the line would contact the flange portion  26  at the relatively small contact surface edge  66  when a force is applied to the line. The smaller contact surface edge  66  would cause an undesirable increase in abrasion and localized stress for the line  18  and an increase in forces on the flange portion  26 . 
     It has been found that for most applications the radius of curvature (R) of the interior line engagement surface  42  of the opening  32  should be approximately 50% to 100% of the depth (D) of the opening. At these values the line  18  contacts the interior line engagement surface  42  along substantially the entire depth (D) of the opening  32 , which maximizes the distribution of the force applied between the line  18  and the flange portion  26 , and reduces abrasion and localized stresses on the line. 
     A preferred curvature for the interior line engagement surface  42  can be calculate using an elliptical arc shape for the surface. In particular, the curvature for the interior line engagement surface  42  can be calculated using the axis of symmetry  31  as the major axis of an ellipse with the center of the ellipse selected at a desired point located along the axis of symmetry  31  at a location above the end portion  40  of the attachment flange  26 , with the minor axis extending transverse thereto and to the axis of the opening  32 , to define a vertical ellipse. The curvature will be defined using the formula x 2 /b 2 +y 2 /a 2 =1, with “a 2 ” being greater than “b 2 ”, where “a”=the length of the semi-major axis (along the “y” axis extending along the axis of symmetry  31 ), and “b”=the length of the semi-minor axis (along the “x” axis transverse to the axis of symmetry). While a vertical ellipse to determine the curvature of the interior line engagement surface  42 , a horizontal ellipse shape may be used with the minor axis of an ellipse extending along the axis of symmetry  31  and the major axis extending transverse thereto and to the axis of the opening  32  (where using the above formula “b 2 ” is greater than “a 2 ”). Alternatively, the above formula may be used with “a 2 ” being equal to “b 2 ” which describes a circle with the curvature for the interior line engagement surface  42  being a circular arc. 
     The foregoing described embodiments depict different components contained within, or connected with, different other components. It is to be understood that such depicted architectures are merely exemplary, and that in fact many other architectures can be implemented which achieve the same functionality. In a conceptual sense, any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality is effectively “associated” such that the desired functionality is achieved. Likewise, any two components so associated can also be viewed as being “operably connected,” or “operably coupled,” to each other to achieve the desired functionality. 
     While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that, based upon the teachings herein, changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention and its broader aspects and, therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as are within the true spirit and scope of this invention. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention is solely defined by the appended claims. It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). 
     It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). 
     Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended claims.