Patent Publication Number: US-7712804-B2

Title: Method and apparatus for controlling a rope

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates to a method and apparatus for controlling a rope, as to facilitate drawing of a boat towards a docking space. 
   2. Background Art 
   Recreational boaters and those in the shipping industry are commonly faced with the problem of drawing a boat/ship (hereinafter “a boat”) towards a docking space with the boat in relatively close proximity thereto. 
   Typically, boats are able to maneuver under their own power, or be pushed by a tugboat, to a position adjacent to a dock at which the boat will ultimately be secured. The most challenging aspect of docking occurs typically when the boat is required to be secured along a dock at a mooring that runs parallel to the boat length and has a length equal to, or only slightly greater than, that of the boat. This maneuver can be compared to parallel parking a car. 
   Commonly, the boat will be preliminarily situated with its length parallel to the length of the mooring, whereupon hooks and/or ropes are used to draw the boat in a sideways direction to against the dock. Typically at such docks, there are a series of cleats that cantilever upwardly and accept a rope that can be tied therearound. 
   The recreational boater may often have the assistance of someone on the boat as well as someone on the dock as the docking operation is performed. Commonly, long ropes will be thrown from the boat to an assistant who is then able to pull on the rope to reposition the boat. 
   More commonly, however, the recreational boater will be in a situation wherein he/she will be without any assistance from the dock. The boater is thus faced with the task of laterally repositioning the boat from a position within the boat that is spaced from dock. This procedure is normally attempted in one of two different ways. 
   The boater may have one or more ropes with a pre-formed, restrictable lasso which the boater may toss towards the dock cleat in an attempt to surround the same with the loop defined by the lasso. If successful, the boater may then pull upon the rope to draw the boat to against the dock. 
   This procedure requires a certain amount of skill in throwing the rope. Inevitably, several efforts may be unsuccessful. If the lasso has a restrictable loop, each time the failed attempt is completed, the boater may be required to re-enlarge the loop preparatory to a subsequent effort. 
   While in calm conditions, this trial and error effort may not have significant consequences other than being an inconvenience, in rough conditions, the delay in securing the rope may permit winds or wake to reposition the boat either away from the dock or dangerously towards another structure or boat. 
   Alternatively, boat hooks are used. Typically such a boat hook will have an elongate pole with a hook at a distal end thereof. The boater manipulates the proximal end of the pole to engage the hook on some type of structure at the dock and then draws the boat towards the dock by exerting a pulling force on the proximal end of the pole. 
   While use of boat hooks may be preferred by reason of being able to more reliably engage the dock therewith, boat hooks have some inherent drawbacks. First of all, the docking process typically involves two distinct steps when a boat hook is employed. That is, the hook is manipulated to draw the boat towards the dock, whereupon a separate rope must be secured between the boat and a cleat, or other structure, on the dock. In calm conditions, this two-step process may be moderately inconvenient. In rough conditions with a single boater performing the docking operation, it may be awkward to serially perform the steps without losing some control over the position of the boat. 
   Additionally, with large or heavy boats, the capacity of the boat hook must be substantial or alternatively there is a risk of the same failing during use. 
   The industry has developed a number of rope control mechanisms wherein a looped rope can be maneuvered to place the loop around a cantilevered object, such as a cleat. Exemplary structures are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,811,127 (Palsson); 3,677,597 (Stipek); 3,841,685 (Kolodziej); 3,918,385 (Wallace); 4,667,617 (Molitor); 5,009,181 (Upchurch); 5,116,260 (Upchurch); and 5,799,602 (Trillo). Generally, these structures are less than optimal by reason of their being either complicated in nature or less than convenient to use. 
   Ideally, a boater would have a lightweight structure that is both simple and reliable to use, whereby a lone individual on a boat might be able to readily, conveniently, and safely complete the docking of a boat. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In one form, the invention is directed to a method of directing a rope around a cantilevered support. The method includes the steps of a) providing an apparatus for controlling the rope having i) an elongate pole with a length and a proximal region and a distal region spaced from each other in a lengthwise direction, and ii) a rope engaging assembly at the distal region of the elongate pole, the rope engaging assembly having at least one surface facing generally in a lengthwise direction away from the proximal region; b) configuring the rope so that the rope bears against the at least one surface and a portion thereof is thereby formed to be generally U-shaped opening towards the proximal region with the rope in an operative position on the apparatus; c) holding at least a second portion of the rope and the elongate pole at the proximal region so that the rope is borne against the at least one surface to maintain the U-shaped rope portion in the “U” shape; and d) manipulating the elongate pole with the rope in the operative position to cause the U-shaped portion of the rope to be directed around the cantilevered support. 
   In one form, the method includes the step of exerting a force on the rope at a first location spaced from the U-shaped portion to tension the rope between the cantilevered support and the first location. 
   In one form, the rope engaging assembly consists of two discrete surfaces that are spaced transversely from each other with respect to the length of the pole. 
   In one form, the rope engaging assembly has a U-shaped body that opens away from the proximal region of the pole. The body has a base and spaced first and second legs that terminate at first and second free ends. The two discrete surfaces are located one each at the first and second free ends. 
   One discrete surface may be defined by a first fitting having a first surface bounding a first U-shaped receptacle. The first surface has a base portion and first and second spaced leg portions that cooperatively define a “U” shape. The base portion defines the one discrete surface. 
   In one form, the pole has a lengthwise central axis and the first U-shaped receptacle opens in a line that is non-parallel to the central axis of the pole. 
   In one form, the other discrete surface is defined by a second fitting having a second surface bounding a second U-shaped receptacle. The second surface has a base portion and first and second leg portions that cooperatively define a “U” shape. The base portion on the second fitting defines the other of the two discrete surfaces. 
   In one form, the first U-shaped receptacle opens in a first line and the second U-shaped receptacle opens in a second line. The first and second lines define a “V” shape through which the central lengthwise axis of the elongate pole extends. 
   In one form, the central lengthwise axis substantially bisects the “V” shape. 
   The first surface may be made from a material that resists sliding movement of the rope thereagainst. 
   In one form, with the rope in the operative position, the rope is releasably frictionally held between the first and second leg portions on the first fitting. 
   In one form, the step of holding at least a second portion of the rope comprises holding at least a second portion of the rope from a floating vessel that is spaced from the cantilevered support. The step of exerting a force on the rope involves exerting a force on the rope to thereby cause the floating vessel to be moved towards the cantilevered support. 
   In one form, the method further includes the step of securing the rope at the cantilevered support to thereby maintain a desired relationship between the floating vessel and the cantilevered support. 
   In one form, the method includes the step of separating the apparatus from the rope by translating the apparatus away from the U-shaped portion of the rope by movement of the apparatus relative to the rope in a direction in which the U-shaped portion of the rope opens. 
   In one form, the step of configuring the rope involves configuring the rope into a loop to define the U-shaped portion. 
   In one form, the step of configuring the rope involves configuring the rope into a loop with a restrictable diameter and the step of exerting a force on the rope involves exerting a force on the rope to tension the rope and thereby reduce the diameter of the loop. 
   In one form, the elongate pole and a first rope engaging assembly are independent components that are releasably connected together. 
   In one form, the method further includes the step of providing a second rope engaging assembly that has a different configuration than the first rope engaging assembly and the first and second rope engaging assemblies are selectively connectable to the elongate pole, one in place of the other, thereby to choose a desired configuration for the apparatus. 
   In one form, the invention is directed to the combination of an apparatus for controlling a rope and a rope that is in an operative position on the apparatus. The apparatus has: i) an elongate pole with a length and proximal and distal regions spaced in a lengthwise direction; and ii) a rope engaging assembly at the distal region of the elongate pole. The rope engaging assembly has at least one surface facing generally in a lengthwise direction away from the proximal region. The rope in the operative position is configured to bear against the at least one surface so that a portion of the rope is U-shaped opening towards the proximal region with at least a second portion of the rope extending towards the proximal region of the pole so that a force can be exerted on the at least second portion of the rope to maintain the portion of the rope that bears against the at least one surface U-shaped. The rope engaging assembly is configured so that the rope can be selectively placed into the operative position and separated from the rope engaging assembly by relatively translating the rope and rope engaging assembly. 
   In one form, the rope engaging assembly has two discrete surfaces that are spaced transversely from each other with respect to the length of the pole. 
   In one form, the rope engaging assembly has a U-shaped body that opens away from the proximal region of the pole. The body has a base and spaced first and second legs that terminate at first and second free ends. One of the two discrete surfaces is located at each of the first and second free ends. 
   In one form, one discrete surface is defined by a first fitting having a first surface bounding a first U-shaped receptacle. The first surface has a base portion and first and second spaced leg portions that cooperatively define a “U” shape. The base portion defines the one discrete surface. 
   In one form, the pole has a lengthwise central axis and the first U-shaped receptacle opens in a line that is non-parallel to the central axis of the pole. 
   In one form, the other discrete surface is defined by a second fitting having a second surface bounding a second U-shaped receptacle. The second surface has a base portion and first and second leg portions that cooperatively define a “U” shape. The base portion on the second fitting defines the other of the two discrete surfaces. 
   In one form, the first U-shaped receptacle opens in a first line and the second U-shaped receptacle opens in a second line. The first and second lines define a “V” shape through which the central lengthwise axis of the elongate pole extends. 
   In one form, the central lengthwise axis substantially bisects the “V” shape. 
   In one form, the first surface is made from a material that resists sliding movement of the rope thereagainst. 
   In one form, with the rope in the operative position, the rope is releasably frictionally held between the first and second leg portions on the first fitting. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic representation of an apparatus for controlling a rope, according to the present invention, used to engage the rope with a cantilevered support; 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic representation, as in  FIG. 1 , and showing a more specific environment in which the invention is used, with a floating vessel that is secured through a rope to a cantilevered support on a dock; 
       FIG. 3  is a more specific depiction of the environment in  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 4  is an exploded, top view of an apparatus for controlling a rope, according to the present invention, and consisting of a pole and a rope engaging assembly for supporting the rope in an operative position; 
       FIG. 5  is an enlarged, perspective view of one of two fittings for engaging the rope on the rope engaging assembly in  FIG. 4 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a partial cross-sectional view of the fitting taken along lines  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 7  is a view of the apparatus as in  FIG. 4  and with a rope in an operative position and configured to define a restrictable loop; 
       FIG. 8  is a reduced, fragmentary plan view of a support with the loop placed therearound using the apparatus and the apparatus separated from the rope; 
       FIG. 9  is a view as in  FIG. 8  wherein the loop is reduced in diameter from that shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
       FIG. 10  is an enlarged, cross-sectional view of one of the fittings on the rope engaging assembly with the rope thereon taken along line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 7 ; 
       FIG. 11  is a schematic representation of a method of controlling a rope according to the invention; and 
       FIG. 12  is a view as in  FIG. 7  wherein the rope is configured in a different manner to be controlled using the apparatus. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
   As seen in  FIG. 1 , the invention is directed to an apparatus  10  for controlling a rope  12  so as to allow the rope  12  to be extended around a cantilevered support  14  from a position spaced from the cantilevered support  14 . The invention is shown in  FIG. 1  in schematic form so as to encompass virtually an unlimited number of different environments in which the inventive apparatus  10  could be utilized. The apparatus  10  can be used to direct the rope around a cantilevered support  14  that may project upwardly, downwardly, horizontally, etc., in virtually any environment in which it is desirable to wrap the rope  12  around a support  14  from a spaced location. 
   The apparatus  10  is particularly adaptable for use in one particular environment, as shown schematically in  FIG. 2 . The apparatus  10  is operated thereon from a boat/floating vessel (“vessel”)  16  so that the rope  12  can be placed around the cantilevered support  14 , as upon a dock  18 , with the floating vessel  16  spaced from the dock  18 . The cantilevered support  14  may be a piling, a cleat, or any structure which lends itself to being wrapped around by the rope  12  from a spaced location. 
   One more specific depiction of the environment in  FIG. 2  is shown in  FIG. 3 . In  FIG. 3 , a user  20  is shown upon the vessel  16  that is spaced from the dock  18  on which upwardly extending cleats  14  are provided. The apparatus  10  is projected by the user  20  from the vessel  16  to cause the rope  12  to be wrapped around one of the cleats  14  whereupon the user  20  can exert a tension on the rope  12  to draw the vessel  16  in the direction of the arrow  22  towards the dock  18 . The rope  12  can be used temporarily to hold vessel  16  in place or may be subsequently tied to both the cleat  14  and vessel  16  to maintain the vessel  16  in a desired docked position. 
   One preferred form of the apparatus  10 , and its interaction with the rope  12 , is shown in  FIGS. 4-7 . The apparatus  10  consists of an elongate pole  24  having a lengthwise central axis  26  and proximal and distal regions  28 ,  30 , respectively, spaced lengthwise from each other relative to the axis  26 . The pole  24  may have a fixed length, may have joinable parts, or may consist of telescopingly engaged parts that permit selective length variation. The proximal and distal regions  28 ,  30 , while shown at the lengthwise extremities of the pole  24 , are not limited to being at these precise locations. 
   The proximal end  28  has a grip  32  around which a user&#39;s hand can be extended to comfortably grasp and manipulate the elongate pole  24 . Other types of structure might be used, such as a closed loop, etc. 
   A free end  34  at the distal region  30  of the pole  24  is designed to telescopingly engage a stub shaft  36  on a rope engaging assembly  38 . With the stub shaft  36  and pole end  34  telescopingly engaged, one within the other, openings  40 ,  42 , respectively in the pole  24  and rope engaging assembly  38 , register to allow direction therethrough of a bolt or a pin (not shown). The invention contemplates that any type of mechanism, shown schematically at  44  in  FIG. 4 , might be utilized to releasably or permanently maintain the connection between the pole  24  and rope engaging assembly  38 . 
   For example, the mechanism  44  may be a detent arrangement which allows a user to depress a spring-loaded component to effect release of the connection between the pole  24  and rope engaging assembly  38 . 
   The rope engaging assembly  38  has a U-shaped body  46  with a base  48  and first and second legs  50 ,  52 , extending from the base  48  in a manner that the base  48  and legs  50 ,  52  cooperatively define the “U” shape. The first leg  50  has a first free end  54  at which a first fitting  56  is provided. The second leg  52  has a second free end  58  at which a second fitting  60  is provided. The first and second fittings  56 ,  60  may be identical or may have a different configuration. In the embodiment shown, the fittings  56 ,  60  are the same and are mounted on their respective legs  50 ,  52  so as to be turned 180° with respect to each other about axes parallel to the central axis  26  of the pole  24 . 
   The exemplary fitting  56  has a body  62  with a first surface  64  bounding a U-shaped receptacle  66 . The receptacle  66  is bounded by a base surface portion (surface)  68  and first and second leg surface portions  70 ,  72 , respectively, spaced widthwise of the surface  68 . 
   The second fitting  60  has a receptacle  66 ′ bounded by a base surface  68 ′, corresponding to the base surface  68  on the first fitting  56 . 
   The two discrete surface  68 ,  68 ′ are arcuate/gently curved and have straight lengths that extend generally along lines L 1 , L 2 , respectively, that make a V-shape with respect to each other. The axis  26  of the pole  24  extends through the “V” and preferably bisects the same. 
   The receptacle  66  on the first fitting  56 , and the corresponding receptacle  66 ′ on the second fitting  60 , open away from the proximal region  28  of the pole  24  and allow the rope  12  to be placed in an operative position upon the apparatus  10 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . The rope  12  is formed to define either a fixed, or in this case a restrictable, loop  74 . The rope  12  is placed into the receptacles  66 ,  66 ′ to bear against the surfaces  68 ,  68 ′. With the rope  12  configured in this manner, a portion of the rope at  76  is U-shaped opening towards the proximal region  28  of the pole  24 . The effective usable width (W)/diameter of the loop  74  at the U-shaped portion  76  is determined primarily by the spacing between the legs  50 ,  52  of the body  46  of the rope engaging assembly  38 . A slip knot  78  is formed in the rope  12 , such that a second portion  80  of the rope  12  is directed back towards the proximal region  28  of the pole  24 , to be grasped in the vicinity thereof together with the proximal region  28  of the pole  24 . Alternatively, a preformed eye can be formed in the rope  12  to allow a free end of the rope  12  to be directed therethrough to form a similarly functioning restrictable loop. 
   With the rope  12  and apparatus  10  in the configuration shown in  FIG. 7 , the apparatus  10  can be manipulated, as shown particularly in  FIGS. 3 ,  8  and  9 , to place the loop  74  around the support  14 . With the loop  74  in the  FIG. 8  orientation, the U-shaped portion  76  of the rope wraps around a portion  82  of the support facing away from the user at the proximal pole end  28 . By separating the apparatus  10  from the rope  12 , the user can then exert a force in the direction of the arrow  84  upon the rope portion  80 , thereby to tension the rope  12  between the support portion  82  and rope portion  80  and restrict the loop  74  so as to tightly embrace the support  14 . 
   In the embodiment shown, the configuration of the rope engaging assembly  38  is such that it can be moved by simple translational movement in the direction of the arrow  86  in  FIG. 7  into the loop  74 . This causes the rope to seat in the receptacles  66 ,  66 ′. It is actually generally more convenient for the user to configure the loop  74  by causing the rope  12  to be placed serially into the receptacles  66 ,  66 ′. When it is desired to separate the apparatus  10  from the rope  12 , the apparatus  10  is translated oppositely to the direction of the arrow  86  to move the rope  12  out of the receptacles  66 ,  66 ′, thereby to allow complete separation of the apparatus  10  from the rope  12 . This can be accomplished with the U-shaped portion  76  of the rope  12  braced against the support portion  82 . 
   By maintaining a slight tension on the second portion  80  of the rope  12  in the direction of the arrow  88 , the rope  12  can be maintained within the receptacles  66 ,  66  to maintain the “U” shape of the rope portion  76  as the apparatus  10  is manipulated as described above to place the loop  76  around the support  14 . The U-shaped body  46  is rigid sufficiently that the body  46  does not appreciably bend as the rope  12  is tensioned against the surfaces  68 ,  68 ′ to maintain the rope  12  in a predetermined shape upon the body  46 . 
   The rope  12  can also be maintained within the exemplary receptacle  66  in  FIG. 10  by configuring the fitting  56  so that the leg surface portions  70 ,  72  cooperatively frictionally grip the diameter of the rope  12 . The entire fitting  56 , or at least a part of the surface  64  thereon, may be made from a material that resists sliding movement to the rope  12 . The configuration of the receptacles  66 ,  66 ′, and the nature of the material bounding the receptacle  66 ,  66 ′ can be selected to maintain the rope  12  in its operative position without significant effort on the part of the user, while at the same time allowing convenient separation of the apparatus  10  and rope  12  at the appropriate time. 
   Accordingly, as shown schematically in  FIG. 11 , docking of the vessel  16  can be carried out as follows. The apparatus  10  is provided in the form described above, or in another form, as shown at block  92 . The rope  12  is configured in its operative position, as shown in  FIG. 7 , as shown at block  94 . In the  FIG. 7  configuration, the apparatus  10  can be repositioned to place the loop  74  around the support  14 , as shown at block  96 . Thereafter, as shown at block  98 , the rope engaging assembly  38  on the apparatus  10  is separated from the rope  12 . The user is then allowed to draw the U-shaped portion  76  of the rope  12  against the support  14  so that the force exerted on the rope produces a tension between the second rope location  88  and the support  14  at which the U-shaped portion  76  engages, as shown at block  100 . With the restrictable loop configuration shown in  FIGS. 7-9 , further force application causes the loop  74  tighten and thereby to restrict/reduce in diameter, as shown at block  102 . 
   As an alternative to using a restrictable loop, as shown in  FIG. 12 , the rope  12  can be wrapped around the rope engaging assembly  38  to produce the U-shape portion  76 . However, instead of having a restrictable loop, a third portion  104  of the rope  12  is directed back to the proximal pole region  28 . By exerting a force on both rope portions  80 ,  104  in the direction of the arrow  106  in  FIG. 12 , the shape of the U-shaped portion  76  can be maintained with the rope  12  residing within the receptacles  66 ,  66 ′ in the same manner as for the arrangement shown in  FIG. 7 . The U-shaped portion  76  can then be directed around the support  14 , whereupon the apparatus  10  can be separated from the rope  12 , as previously described. The user can then draw the rope portions  80 ,  104  to produce a tension on the rope  12  between the U-shaped portion  76  bearing upon the support  14  and the rope portions  80 ,  104 . Through this tensioning action, the vessel  16  within which the user  20  resides can be pulled towards the dock  18 . 
   Once the vessel  16  is in the desired position, the rope  12  can be secured to the support  14  and vessel  16 , as desired. Alternatively, another rope or holding mechanism may be used to accomplish this. This step is shown at block  108  in  FIG. 11 . 
   With the embodiment in  FIG. 7 , the rope  12  can be used to secure the vessel  16  and/or another rope or ropes or other mechanism can be used to secure the vessel  16  at the desired location on the dock  18 . 
   The invention contemplates numerous variations from the basic structures described above. For example, the entire apparatus  10  can be made as one piece as opposed to having separate components, in this case the joinable pole  24  and rope engaging assembly  38 . 
   The depicted configuration of the body  46  on the rope engaging assembly  38  is not in any way intended to be limiting. All that is required with this design is that there be two spaced, discrete surfaces  68 ,  68 ′ that can be bridged by the rope  12  to define the U-shaped portion  76  that can be directed around the support  14  as the apparatus  10  is operated. As just an example, the “U” shape of the body  46  may be off center with respect to the axis  26  of the pole  24 , and potentially fully offset therefrom. 
   Further, the shape of the discrete surfaces  68 ,  68 ′ is not critical to the present invention. The function of the surfaces  68 ,  68 ′ could be performed by, for example, sharp pins, the ends of which would be considered “surfaces”, as used herein. 
   The spacing of the surfaces  68 ,  68 ′ can be changed depending upon the particular application and the nature of the support  14 . 
   As a further alternative, as shown in  FIG. 4 , an optional interchangeable rope engaging assembly  38 ′ may be provided that has a different configuration than the rope engaging assembly  38 . The user can selectively use either of the rope engaging assemblies  38 ,  38 ′, in place of the other, on the pole  24  to produce the desired configuration. 
   The apparatus  10  may be made from any of a number of different materials, such as metal, plastic, or a composite. The fittings  56 ,  60  could be integrally formed with the remainder of the body  48 . They are shown as separate elements in this design in that this facilitates separate formation of the fittings  56 ,  60  with a material that has frictional properties that are more preferred than those of the material making up the rest of the body  46 . For example, the fittings  56 ,  60  could be molded from a plastic material. The plastic material may flex to accept a larger diameter rope that may be squeezed therein. Additionally, the plastic may be treated so that its frictional characteristics are appropriate to avoid unwanted slippage between the rope  12  and fittings  56 ,  60 . 
   With the structure shown, the U-shaped rope portion  12  can be resituated while being relatively firmly maintained in the “U” shape. The user is thus not faced with the problem that the loop will close as the apparatus is moved. This facilitates alignment of the loop  74  with a support and direction of the loop  74  therearound. 
   The foregoing disclosure of specific embodiments is intended to be illustrative of the broad concepts comprehended by the invention.