Patent Publication Number: US-2022234690-A1

Title: Mooring device and methods of use

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to novel mooring devices for attaching a watercraft to other structures. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention pertain to a device that is operable to provide spacing between a watercraft and another structure to which device connects the watercraft. 
     DISCUSSION OF THE BACKGROUND 
     The use of watercraft, such as waterski boats, pontoon boats, fishing boats and the like is of increasing popularity. Often times, users like to attach their watercraft to other watercraft for various purposes such, as socializing and meals, while floating on a body of water. It is desirable to be able to moor two watercraft together in order to allow proximity in the open water for social purposes or to facilitate communication and the coordination of efforts in research and fishing endeavors. Attaching one floating watercraft to another is referred to as rafting. While the rafted watercraft float on the body of water, they are subject to waves, the wakes of other boats, tides, and currents that can cause the rafted watercraft to move relative to each other. This relative movement increases the risk that the watercraft will contact each other and cause damage to one or both of the watercraft. The undulating of the watercraft, relative to the permanent structure, can cause the watercraft to contact the fixed structure, which may damage the watercraft. 
     Also, when moored to a fixed structure, such as a dock or pier, the watercraft are subject to the undulating surface of the water. Using a typical approach of ropes and bumpers may still leave a watercraft susceptible to damage caused by waves pushing the watercraft into the dock and the dock contacting the watercraft above the bumpers. 
     Conventional protective and cushioning devices can reduce damage to the hull of boat due to motion caused by waves. However, bumpers or other padded devices do not prevent the relative movement of a watercraft to other craft or a dock, difficulty in transferring people or items from a craft to another craft or dock, and are not entirely effective at limiting damage to the craft. 
     It is therefore desirable to provide a novel mooring device and related methods that address such issues. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a mooring device for attaching two or more watercraft to each other, such as during rafting. The invention also generally relates to attaching a watercraft to a fixed structure, such as a dock. 
     The present invention also provides an apparatus and method of rafting two watercraft together or connecting a watercraft to a fixed structure (e.g., a dock) that can accommodate the movement of each watercraft relative to the other while preventing contact between the structures. The present invention further provides reliable connection mechanisms that maintain a fixed distance between the watercraft and the other craft or dock. The fixed distance prevents collisions between the watercraft and the other structure and provides a more stable relative position of the watercraft and the other structure to allow a person to move himself, cargo, or other material back and forth between the watercraft and the other structure with more confidence and surer footing. 
     The mooring device of the present invention includes two spacer bars that hold the watercraft from another watercraft or dock at a pre-determined distance, at least one cinching strap to hold the two spacer bars at an extended and parallel arrangement between the watercraft and other structure, and a quick connector mechanism. The spacer may have an adjustable length, e.g., having multiple concentric sections in a telescoping design that can be locked into a particular length with a locking pin. The present invention features a connection mechanism that allows for secure attachment the end of each spacer bar to a cleat positioned on another vessel or a stationary structure (e.g., a dock), and quick attachment and release from the cleat. 
     The coupling mechanism may include features that are connected to the spacer bar and features that are attached to a vessel or stationary structure such as a dock. A joint having three degrees of rotational freedom may be in mechanical connection with one or both ends of each spacer bar (a “rotational joint”). For example, a ball-type joint may be positioned at of the ends of the spacer bar, allowing for the oscillations and movement of a vessel resulting from the undulation of the water. The rotational joint may be connected to a corresponding anchoring structure positioned on a vessel or stationary structure. The rotational joint allows for some play in the connection between the spacing member and the anchoring structure on a water craft or stationary structure to allow for the undulating motion of the vessel on the surface of the water. The rotational joint may allow for a movement and pivoting of the spacer bar relative to the rotational joint in any direction within a conical zone around a perpendicular to the outer surface of an anchoring structure of the mooring system (see, e.g.,  FIG. 11 ). 
     In one embodiment, the coupling mechanism may include a bracket mechanically connected to the rotational joint such that the bracket can rotate with the rotational joint as the watercraft moves with the undulations of the water. The bracket may include a locking pin for reversibly locking into a socket in a cleat fixed to a vessel or stationary structure. The rotational joint may be reversibly connected to an anchoring structure (e.g., a bracket or cleat) positioned on a vessel or stationary structure by the locking pin that passes through a hole in the rotational joint and one or more holes in the anchoring structure. For example, the rotational joint may have a cylindrical hole passing through a ball swivel, and the anchoring structure may be installed on the hull, gunwale, or other structure of a boat. The anchoring structure may include a receiver (e.g., a cavity, etc.) for receiving the rotational joint. The receiver may have one or more holes therein with which the hole in the ball swivel of the rotational joint may be aligned. In such embodiments, a locking pin may be positioned within the anchoring structure, nested in the recess and moveably engaged with the bracket. 
     The locking pin may be passed through the holes in the receiver and the rotational joint to couple the rotational joint to the anchoring structure. The locking pin may be a sliding pin mechanism that is guided along a path that passes through the holes in the receiver (and the rotational joint) and may be locked into place once engaged with the rotational joint. The locking mechanism may be a lever and slot mechanism, which includes a lever that is connected to the locking pin at an angel in a range of 70° to 110° relative to the length of the locking pin and a locking slot that is angled relative to the path of the locking pin in a range of 70° to 110°. In some embodiments, the anchoring structure may include an advancement slot that runs parallel to the path of the locking pin, and through which the lever passes when the locking pin is advanced through the holes in the receiver and the rotational joint. When the locking pin is advanced into the holes in the receiver and the rotational joint, the lever may reach the locking slot when the locking pin has passed through the holes in the receiver and the rotational joint. The lever may then be rotated into the locking slot to prevent the locking pin from sliding along the path or out of the holes in the receiver and the rotational joint. In such examples, the pin may have locked and unlocked positions within the recess. The rotational joint may be inserted into the bracket with the locking pin in the unlocked position and the hole in the rotational joint may be aligned with the hole(s) in the bracket. The locking pin may then be moved from the unlocked position, through the path, and passed through the holes in the rotational joint and the bracket to the locked position, thereby securing the rotational joint in the bracket. In other embodiments, the locking pin may include a retractable locking mechanism that will not release until a release mechanism has been activated (e.g., a button or switch), which retracts or releases a pin lock incorporated into the pin or the anchoring structure (e.g., a ball bearings, pins, bolts, or other protrusions) allowing the pin to pass through the holes without obstruction. 
     In some embodiments, the anchoring structure may be a recessed structure that is installed in the hull, gunwale or other accessible portion of a watercraft. The anchoring structure may have a recessed bracket into which the rotational joint maybe inserted, and an outer cover plate that is flush with the outer surface of the hull, gunwale, or other structure in the watercraft to avoid scratching, catching, or other problems that may occur if the anchoring structure protruded from the surface of the watercraft. The outer plate may be countersunk into the surface of the watercraft surface to facilitate the flush installation. In some embodiments, a bracket on the anchoring structure may positioned such that it protrudes from the anchoring structure, and the rotational joint and the locking pin are positioned above the anchoring structure when the rotational joint is coupled to the anchoring structure. In other examples, the bracket for receiving the rotational joint may be nested within anchoring structure such that the rotational joint may be inserted into a recess in the anchoring structure to be aligned with the holes in the bracket. 
     In other embodiments, the locking pin may have a notch or slot (the “pin notch”) that engages with an actuated locking pin, ball, or other protrusible structure (the “socket lock”) that protrudes within the socket and engages the pin notch on the latch pin to hold the pin in place in the socket, preventing the latch pin from being pulled out of the socket. The latch pin and the socket may have complementary shapes, such that there is a tight fit between the latch pin and the socket that disallows slippage between the pin notch and the socket lock. The socket lock may be actuated by a pin or sleeve positioned in mechanical contact with the socket lock. For example, the socket lock may be engaged with a release pin, rod, or other structure (the “release mechanism”) that moves in parallel to the receiver, having a groove operable to receive the socket lock and allow it to retract from the interior of the socket, releasing the latch pin from engagement with the socket. When the release mechanism is actuated or engaged, the groove therein may be positioned in alignment with the socket lock, allowing the socket lock to retract from the socket and into the groove. In some embodiments, the socket lock may be biased toward retracting into the groove (e.g., by a spring). 
     In some embodiments, both ends of each spacer bar may including a rotational joint for engagement with an anchoring structure. In some embodiments, the spacer bars may also include a hydraulic joint for cushioning the movement of one or more vessels attached to the spacer bar as they move due to undulations in the water. The spacer bars may each also include at least one connection point for a tensioning device for maintaining the spacer bars in a substantially parallel arrangement to prevent the vessel from colliding with the structure to which it is moored. 
     The tensioning device may provide an adjustable tension force between the two spacing bars. The tensioning device may include one or more tension straps operable to be connected to the connection points of the spacer bars. The tension device(s) may be configured in criss-cross pattern between the spacer bars to create a stable parallel arrangement of the spacer bars. The tension device(s) may be connected to the spacer bars at the connection points on the spacer bars. The tension device(s) have a connection mechanism for connecting to the connection points on the space bars, such as a hook, a maillon, a carabineer, or other type of connector. The connection points on the spacer bars may be at or near each distal end thereof and may include a hook, ring or similar structure for engaging the connection mechanism of the tensioning device(s). The tensioning device(s) may comprise a portion that spans the distance between the spacer bars that may be cord, cable, or rope, e.g., made from braided or woven material. The tensioning device(s) may also include tightening mechanisms to selectively adjust the tension across the tensioning devices, such as cam buckles or ratchets that can increase or decrease the tension across the tension straps. 
     The anchoring structures may be part of a novel cleat structure that provides the functionality of a traditional cleat, as well as the connection point for the rotational joints of the spacer bars. The cleat may include a socket for receiving a locking pin from the rotational joint, or may have a bracket to receive the rotational joint and receive a pin. The brackets on the cleat may also function as a cleat. For example, the cleat structure may be attached to the bracket, allowing a conventional mooring rope to be fastened to the bracket. In other embodiments, the anchoring structures may simply comprise brackets for receiving the rotational joint that are attached to a vessel or a dock or other stationary structure. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide improved mooring devices to protect boats and vessels from collision and damage. 
     It is also an object of the present invention to provide a mooring device which maintains the vessel at a safe distance from a pier or dock in varying conditions of wind, current, tide and waves. 
     It is also an object of the present invention to provide a mooring device which can be is promptly installed and removed from a pier and/or dock. 
     Additional aspects and objects of the invention will be apparent from the detailed descriptions and the claims herein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  provides a bottom view of two watercraft connected by a mooring system, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  provides a perspective view of two watercraft connected by a mooring system, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  provides a view of a mooring system, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  provides a view of a rotational joint and other components of a novel mooring system, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  provides a view of a rotational joint and other components of a novel mooring system, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  provides a view of an anchoring structure and other components of a novel mooring system, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  provides a view of an anchoring structure and other components of a novel mooring system, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  provides a view of an anchoring structure and other components of a novel mooring system, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  provides a view of an anchoring structure and other components of a novel mooring system, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  provides a perspective view of an anchoring structure and other components of a novel mooring system, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  provides a perspective view of an anchoring structure and other components of a novel mooring system, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  provides a perspective view of an anchoring structure of a novel mooring system, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  provides a perspective view of an anchoring structure of a novel mooring system, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 14  provides a perspective view of a rotational joint and other components of a novel mooring system, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 15  provides a perspective exploded view of a novel mooring system, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 16  provides a perspective exploded view of a novel mooring system, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 17  provides a perspective view of a novel mooring system, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 18  provides a side view of a novel mooring system, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 19  provides a top view of a novel mooring system, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to certain embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention will be described in reference to these embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the invention. To the contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents that are included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims. In the following disclosure, specific details are given to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. 
     Referring to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and referring to  FIGS. 1-12B , it is seen that the present invention includes various embodiments of a watercraft mooring and rafting system that holds the watercraft at a substantially constant distance from another watercraft, dock, or other structure and prevents collision between them. 
       FIGS. 1-2  provide environmental views of one application of the mooring system  1000  of the present invention. The views in the drawings show the mooring system  1000  connecting two vessels A and B at a fixed distance to one another, spaced apart by the spacing members  1010 A and  1010 B. The spacing members  1010 A and  1010 B are attached to the vessels A and B via the anchoring structures  1100 A,  1100 B,  1100 C, and  1100 D attached to the hull of each vessel A and B, each vessel having two anchoring structures at a predetermined distance from one another along the hull and at substantially the same vertical distance from the keel thereof. This arrangement may be substantially the same on both vessels to allow for substantially parallel positioning of the spacing members  1010 A and  1010 B in both the vertical and horizontal aspects. The spacing members  1010 A and  1010 B are held in a substantial parallel position by the tensioning members (e.g., straps or cords)  1020 A and  1020 B connected to at each end to one of the spacing members  1010 A or  1010 B in a criss-cross pattern. The tensioning members  1020 A and  1020 B prevent the spacing members  1010 A and  1010 B from deviating from their substantially parallel arrangement and the vessels A and B from sliding past one another. 
       FIG. 3  shows a close-up arrangement of the mooring system  1000 , with the spacing members  1010 A and  1010 B at a predetermined distance from one another in a substantially parallel arrangement. The tensioning members  1015 A and  1015 B (e.g., straps or cords) are connected at each end to one of the spacing members  1010 A and  1010 B in a criss-cross pattern to stabilize the system  1000 . Each anchoring structure  1100 A,  1100 B,  1100 C, and  1100 D includes an attachment point for connecting to one end of one of the tensioning members  1015 A and  1015 B. For example, each anchoring structure may include a ring or rigid loop structure to which the tensioning member can be connected. Anchoring structure  1100 A includes an attachment point  1011 A, anchoring structure  1100 B includes an attachment point  1011 B, anchoring structure  1100 C includes an attachment point  1011 C, and anchoring structure  1100 D includes an attachment point  1011 D. Each tensioning member  1015 A,  1015 B may include a connector at each end thereof for attaching to one of the attachment points  1011 A,  1011 B,  1011 C, and  1011 D. Tensioning member  1015 A includes connectors  1016 A and  1016 D, and tensioning member  1015 B includes connectors  1016 B and  1016 C. The connector may be a clip such as a carabiner clip, mountaineer&#39;s clip, D-clip a round-eye swivel snap, or other appropriate attachment mechanism fixedly connected to a distal end of one of the tensioning members  1015 A and  1015 B. The tensioning members may be a strap, cord or wire (e.g., a woven strap, cord or wire) that comprises a high tensile strength material, such as nylon, steel (e.g., high strength alloy ASTM A514), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene, polyester resin, polyamide thermoplastic, and other appropriate materials. In some embodiments, each of the tensioning members  1015 A and  1015 B may include a tensioning device for increasing the tension in the tensioning member, e.g., once it is attached to the anchoring structures. The tensioning devices may be a ratcheting mechanism, a rigging screw, turnbuckle, tension buckle, or other appropriate tensioning device for a strap, cord, or wire. Tensioning member  1015 A may include a tensioning member  1017 A and tensioning member  1015 B may include tensioning member  1017 B. 
     The anchoring structures  1100 A,  1100 B,  1100 C, and  1100 D are connected to the rotational joints  1020 A,  1020 B,  1020 C, and  1020 D of the spacing members  1010 A and  1010 B by a reversibly locking mechanism that provides for efficient attachment and detachment of the system spacing members  1010 A and  1010 B from the anchoring structures  1100 A,  1100 B,  1100 C, and  1100 D and thus the vessels A and B. It shall be understood that the anchoring structures operable to be connected to a stationary structure, such as a dock, allowing the mooring system  1000  to connect a watercraft to such stationary structure. 
       FIGS. 4-5  close up views of the rotational joint  1020  located at each distal end of the spacing members  1010 A and  1010 B.  FIG. 4  provides an exploded view of the rotational joint  1020  with the pin  1110  passed through a pin path  1110 A. The rotational joint may include an outer ring  1021  having a 360° concave inner track in which an inner ball  1022  is nested. The convex outer surface of the inner ball  1022  interfaces with the inner concave track of the outer ring  1021 , such that the inner ball  1022  can freely rotate and spin within the outer ring  1020 . The inner ball  1022  may include spacers  1023 A and  1023 B that are inserted into or attached to the inner ball  1022  in order to provide structures that are positioned in close proximity to the bracket to prevent sliding of the rotational joint within the bracket of the anchoring structures  1100 A,  1100 B,  1100 C, and  1100 D, and to limit the rotation of the inner ball  1022  in the outer ring  1021 . The spacers  1023 A and  1023 B are shown in  FIG. 4  in an exploded position for illustrative purposes, and are shown in a fully inserted and functional position in  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 4  also presents the outer ring  1021 , inner ring  1022 , and spacers  1023 A and  1023 B in a transparent manner in order to illustrate the pin path  1110 A and placement of pin  1110  through the spacers  1023 A and  1023 B and inner ring  1022 . The inner ball  1022  may have an axial hole  1025  running therethrough that allows for the passage  1110 A of a locking pin  1110 .  FIG. 5  provides side and profile views of the rotational joint  1020  in an assembled, functional condition. The rotational joint  1020  is shown detached from the spacing member, with a stem  1020 A for attaching to a spacing member shown. The pin path  1110 A is shown in axial and profile views without the pin  1110  inserted therethrough. 
       FIGS. 6-7  provide views of an embodiment of the anchoring structure  1100 , which is an embodiment of the anchoring structures  1100 A,  1100 B,  1100 C, and  1100 D of  FIGS. 1-3 . The anchoring structure  1100  may be installed in hull, gunwale, or other structure on a boat and fixed in placed by fasteners (e.g., screws, bolts, etc.) passed through fastener receivers  1130 A and  1130 B. The anchoring structure  1100  may have a receiver  1105  for receiving the rotational joint  1020 . The receiver  1105  may be a recess sized to accommodate the rotational joint  1020 , having side walls  1106 A and  1106 B that may provide enough space to allow the rotational joint to be inserted with a small amount of space on the outer side of each of the spacers  1023 A and  1023 B. This arrangement allows the spacers  1023 A and  1023 B to be in close proximity to the side walls  1106 A and  1106 B and prevent sliding of the rotational joint  1020  within the receiver  1105 . 
     The rotational joint  1020  may be inserted into the receiver  1105  such that the pin passage  1110 A is aligned with pin hole  1110 B in side wall  1106 B and  1110 C. The pin  1110  may then be advanced from a retracted position as shown in  FIG. 6  to a locked position as shown in  FIG. 7 . The anchoring structure  1100  may include two locking slots  1150 A and  1150 B to hold the pin  1110  in place. The locking slot  1150 A may receive a lever  1111  of the pin  1110  by rotation of the pin  1110  (e.g., by about 45°) around the central axis of the pin  1110 , thereby positioning the lever  1111  in the locking slot  1150 A. The positioning of the lever  1111  in the locking slot  1150 A arrests the pin  1110  in the retracted position, as shown in  FIG. 6 . Similarly, the locking slot  1150 B may receive a lever  1111  of the pin  1110  by rotation of the pin  1110  (e.g., by about 45°) around the central axis of the pin  1110  when the pin  1110  is advanced through the pin path  1110 A and into the locked position, thereby positioning the lever  1111  in the locking slot  1150 B. The positioning of the lever  1111  in the locking slot  1150 B arrests the pin  1110  in the locked position, as shown in  FIG. 7 . The positioning of the pin  1110  through the pin path  1110  through the rotational joint  1020  fixes the spacing member to which the rotational joint  1110  is attached to the anchoring structure  1100 , while allowing for limited shifting of the spacing member. The rotational joint  1020  may allow for rotation shifting of the spacing member relative to the anchoring structure  1100  in a range of no more than about 5° to about 30° (e.g., about about 10° to about 20°, or any range of values therein) relative to a perpendicular from the outer surface  1101  of the anchoring structure  1100 . 
       FIGS. 8-9  show a similar embodiment to the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 6-7 . The anchoring structure  1200  may have a receiver  1205  for receiving the rotational joint  1020 . The receiver  1205  may be a recess sized to accommodate the rotational joint  1020 , having side walls  1206 A and  1206 B that may provide enough space to allow the rotational joint to be inserted with a small amount of space on the outer side of each of the spacers  1023 A and  1023 B. This arrangement allows the spacers  1023 A and  1023 B to be in close proximity to the side walls  1206 A and  1206 B and prevent sliding of the rotational joint  1020  within the receiver  1205 . The receiver  1205  may be installed in hull, gunwale, or other structure on a boat and fixed in placed by fasteners (e.g., screws, bolts, etc.) passed through fastener receivers  1230 A,  1230 B,  1230 C, and  1230 D. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 10-11 , the rotational joint  1020  may be inserted into the receiver  1205  such that the pin passage  1110 A is aligned with a pin. The pin  1110  may then be advanced from a retracted position as shown in  FIG. 10  to a locked position as shown in  FIG. 10 . The anchoring structure  1200  may include a locking slot  1150  to hold the pin  1210  in place. The locking slot  1250  may receive a lever  1211  of the pin  1210  by rotation of the pin  1210  (e.g., by at least about 45°) around the central axis of the pin  1210 , thereby positioning the lever  1211  in the locking slot  1250 . The positioning of the lever  1211  in the locking slot  1250  arrests the pin  1210  in the locked position, as shown in  FIG. 11 . The positioning of the pin  1210  through the pin path  1110 A through the rotational joint  1020  fixes the spacing member  1010  to which the rotational joint  1020  is attached to the anchoring structure  1200 , while allowing for limited shifting of the spacing member  1010 . The rotational joint  1020  may allow for rotation shifting of the spacing member relative to the anchoring structure  1200  in a range of no more than about 5° to about 20° relative to a perpendicular C from the outer surface  1201  of the anchoring structure  1200 . The rotational joint  1020  may allow for a movement and pivoting of the spacer bar  1010  relative to the rotational joint  1020  in any direction within a conical zone around a perpendicular C to the outer surface of an anchoring structure  1200 , as shown in  FIG. 11 . 
       FIG. 12  provides an additional embodiment of the anchoring structure. Anchoring structure  1300  has a construction that resembles a cleat that can be installed on the hull or gunwale of a watercraft by fasteners passed through fastener receivers  1330 A and  1330 B. The anchoring structure  1300  includes a bracket structure that includes bracket members  1306 A and  1306 B, each having pin holes ( 1307 A and  1307 B, respectively) through which a pin can be passed. The bracket creates a receiving structure  1305  for receiving the rotational joint  1020  of the spacer  1010 . The pin passage  1110 A of the rotational joint  1020  may be aligned with the pin holes  1307 A and  1307 B, and the pin may then be passed through pin passage  1110 A, pin hole  1307 A, and pin hole  1307 B to reversibly fix the rotational joint  1020  to the anchoring structure  1300 . 
       FIG. 13  provides an additional embodiment, anchoring structure  1400 , which also has a construction that resembles a cleat that can be installed on the hull or gunwale of a watercraft by fasteners passed through fastener receivers  1430 A and  1430 B. The anchoring structure  1400  includes a recessed bracket structure that is positioned within recess  1401 . The bracket structure includes bracket member  1406 A having pin hole  1407 A and bracket member  1406 B having pin hole  1407 B, through which a pin can be passed. The bracket creates a receiving structure  1405  for receiving the rotational joint  1020  of the spacer  1010 . The pin passage  1110 A of the rotational joint  1020  may be aligned with the pin holes  1407 A and  1407 B, and the pin may then be passed through pin passage  1110 A, pin hole  1407 A, and pin hole  1407 B to reversibly fix the rotational joint  1020  to the anchoring structure  1400 .  FIG. 14  shows the spacer  1010  and rotational joint  1020  with a pin  1310  attached to the spacer  1010  by retaining line  1311 . This particular arrangement of the pin  1310  and the spacer  1010  may be utilized in combination with the anchoring structures  1300  and  1400  shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 . Because the anchoring structures  1300  and  1400  do not include a integral pin, the pin  1310  may be advantageously attached to the spacer  1010  so that it is not lost. The pin  1310  may have a biased locking device  1310 A thereon that prevents dislodgement of the pin  1310  from the receiver  1305  or  1405  when the rotational joint  1020  is installed therein. The biased locking device  1310 A may be a spring-biased ball bearing, pin or other appropriate structure. 
       FIGS. 15-16  show a further embodiment of anchoring structure  1500 .  FIG. 14  provides a close-up, exploded view of the connection mechanism of anchoring structure  1500  and spacer  1010  according to an embodiment of the present invention. The anchoring structure  1500  includes a cleat and may be fixed to a vessel or a dock or other stationary structure by fastening receivers  1530 A and  1530 B, and a novel connection system for receiving a rotational joint  1020  of the spacer  1010 . The anchoring structure  1500  may include a bracket receiver  1505  having bracket plates  1506 A and  1506 B, each having a pin hole ( 1507 A and  1507 B, respectively) for receiving a locking pin  1510 . The rotational joint  1020  may be inserted into the bracket receiver  1505  such that the pin passage  1110 A is aligned with the pin holes  1507 A and  1507 B, and the locking pin  1510  may be inserted through the pin passage  1110 A and the pin holes  1507 A and  1507 B and reversibly lock the rotational joint  1020  in place within the bracket receiver  1505 . The locking pin  1510  may be locked into place by a nut or other securing structure  1510 B positioned on the distal end of the locking pin  1510 . The anchoring device  1500  may include a quick release mechanism that connects the bracket receiver  1505  to the cleat base  1501 . The quick release mechanism allows for fast attachment and release of the bracket receiver  1505  from the cleat base  1501 . 
     The quick release mechanism may include a connection stud  1525  that protrudes from the bracket receiver  1505 . The connection stud  1525  includes a notch  1525 A for engaging with a biased pin  1527 . The connection stud  1525  may be inserted into connection receiver  1526  in the cleat base  1501 . When the connection stud  1525  is fully inserted into the connection receiver  1526 , the biased pin  1527  engages with (e.g., inserts into) the notch  1525 A, and thereby reversibly fixes the connection stud  1525  in the connection receiver  1526 , as the presence of the biased pin  1527  in the notch  1525 A. The connection stud  1525  may be released from the connection receiver  1526  by pulling the biased pin  1527  outward to remove it from the notch  1525 A. 
       FIGS. 17-19  provides multiple views of the connection of a single spacer  1010  between two of the anchoring structures  1500 A and  1500 B, demonstrating the arrangement of the novel rotational joint  1020  to the anchoring structures  1500 A and  1500 B with the locking pin  1510  positioned in the bracket receiver of the anchoring structures  1500 A and  1500 B. The connections between the spacer  1010  and the other anchoring structure embodiments (e.g., those shown in  FIGS. 1-13 ) would be arranged in a similar manner. 
     It should be understood that the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.