Patent Publication Number: US-8967066-B1

Title: Automatic docking line management system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of PPA 61,476,860 filed on Apr. 19, 2011 by the present inventor. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Prior Art 
     The following is a tabulation of some prior art that presently appears at least partly relevant: 
                                U.S. patents                                 U.S. Pat. No.   Issue date   Patentee                       3,187,706   Jun. 8, 1965   Ross           2,811,127   Oct. 29, 1957   Palsson           4,317,421   Mar. 2, 1982   Pollack           4,462,329   Jul. 31, 1984   Brushaber           4,676,182   Jun. 30, 1987   Chaiko           4,809,635   Mar. 7, 1989   Essig           6,095,075   Aug. 1, 2000   Gordon and Knight           6,845,731 B1   Jan. 25, 2005   Anderson           4,470,558   Sep. 11, 1984   Stamper           5,813,816   Sep. 29, 1998   Lloyd                             U.S. patent application Publications                                 application number   Date   Applicant                       2007/0186835 A1   Aug. 16, 2007   Livingston                        
Search fields: 114/230, 219, 242; 119/794, 795, 796
 
     One of the most frustrating and difficult aspects of operating a boat or vessel, particularly a sail or power-operated pleasure vessel, is the chore of docking and undocking the vessel from a slip or dock. The process of undocking a vessel usually involves untying one or more docking lines which are attached to a piling or other fixed object on the dock or slip, and attaching it to the fixed pile or object in such a way that it is compact, does not hang into the water, does not interfere with other boats or personnel, and does not constitute a safety hazard. (This application will use the nautical term “line” to mean any article commonly caller a “rope” in non-nautical terms). This operation generally requires that the docking line be manually coiled and carefully placed on the dock or on a cleat or hook on a piling by using a long pole known as a boating hook, which allows the usual distance between the vessel and the fixed pile to be overcome, but which is stressful and difficult to operate, and which can cause back strain. 
     Many boaters opt to simply throw the docking line ashore, either hoping to snag it on a cleat or simply abandoning it on the dock until they return. Many such attempts fail and the docking line falls into the water, where it becomes a hazard for the vessel upon retuning because it could snag its propeller or rudder; and quickly can become covered with marine organisms which discolor the docking line as well as cause it to be slimy or rough. Upon the vessel&#39;s returning to the dock or slip the reverse operation must be accomplished including hooking the line with a long boathook whether it lies on a piling or dock or in the water and then pulling said line onto the vessel for making it fast, or asking people on the dock to throw the line aboard, or frequently the vessel operator jumping off the docking vessel to pick up the line and bring it manually onto the vessel. 
     All of these operations require strength and take up valuable time just when the vessel is in danger of collision with the dock or slip if returning, or collision with pilings or other vessels when leaving. To make matters worse for most recreational boaters there is no professional crew to handle these chores, and the owner, or most often the owners&#39; spouse, is stuck with these chores. It is safe to say that not only are accidents most likely to happen during these maneuvers, but because the operations are stressful because of the danger of damage to the vessel, or to neighboring vessels, it is unfortunately very common for tempers to fray and the pleasure of boating is greatly diminished. While larger vessels are not free from the same operations and problems their professional crew is there to handle them, though the chores are hardly pleasant even then. 
     It is therefore the objective of these embodiments to make both the docking and undocking operation of pleasure vessels easier, less stressful both physically and mentally, and much safer, so that their operation can indeed be pleasurable as intended. 
     A number of patents have been granted in the general area of aids to docking line handling, retrieval, and storage. The most pertinent of those found are referenced and discussed to show that they do not address the problem as well as the present embodiments in important distinctions, do not address both docking and undocking, do not teach the same features, and are less effective than these embodiments in meeting the objectives of attaining a safe, simple, non-stressful, and effective means to automatically retrieve, store, and extend vessel docking lines. 
     The simplest of the patents in the prior art is typified by M. P. Palsson, U.S. Pat. No. 2,811,127, Oct. 29, 1957, which is just an adaptation of a long boat hook to make the placing of a docking line on a piling somewhat easier, but does not address how to engage, store, or retrieve the docking lines, all of which are addressed by the present embodiments. 
     The same goes for E. M. Livingston, U.S. 2007/0186835 A1, Aug. 16, 2007, which describes an even more complicated boat hook but also does not address how to engage, store, or retrieve the docking lines, all of which are addressed by the present embodiments. 
     Other approaches to safer docking are typified by J. A. Ross, U.S. Pat. No. 3,187,706, Jun. 8, 1965, which teaches only the setting up of a spring-actuated cushioning line to soften any jarring upon re-docking, but still does not address the docking line retrieval, storage, and deployment. 
     Another such patent is J. Pollack, U.S. Pat. No. 4,317,421, Mar. 2, 1982, who teaches spring-actuated mechanisms to cushion docking once made, but also does not address how to engage, store, or retrieve the docking lines, all of which are addressed by the present embodiments. 
     Similarly D. Brushaber, U.S. Pat. No. 4,462,329, Jul. 31, 1984, teaches a means to hold a docking line and to stow it out of the vessel&#39;s way, but operations in wind or waves would be difficult and could easily damage the vessel against the protruding long arm. Furthermore Brushaber does not teach using an automatic means to retract or extend the line, all of which are addressed by the present embodiments. 
     Also similar is W. M. Chaiko, U.S. Pat. No. 4,676,182, Jun. 30, 1987, who describes a means to position docking lines over the water so that they are more accessible to vessels desiring to dock, however it teaches the use of weights and mechanisms permanently outboard of the dock and substantially over the water, which pose a real danger to the vessel which could easily strike them and incur damage. Additionally Chaiko does not teach retracting the docking line and its weights or holders completely out of the way of a vessel, nor deploying it when needed without the aforementioned dangers, all of which are addressed by the present embodiments. 
     N. E. Essig, U.S. Pat. No. 4,809,635, Mar. 7, 1989, teaches using a spring-actuated reel to retract and store a retraction line outfitted with an end ring at the dock, which obviously requires several prior manual operations to grasp the docking line, also presumed to be on the dock, attach the end of the docking line to the said end ring, and leave both at the dock ready for grappling. When a vessel comes toward the dock or slip for docking the vessel operator must extend a long boathook and grapple said end ring and draw it into the vessel, grasp the ring with one hand, separate the end ring and retrieving line from the attached docking line with the other hand, and attach the separated docking line onto the vessel. Thus a minimum of four manual operations are required just to dock the vessel using Essig&#39;s patent. Furthermore Essig does not address the undocking maneuver at all which, were it to be addressed, would require another minimum of four manual operations to retrieve the retrieval line and end ring from the dock, detach the docking line from the vessel, attach the docking line to the retrieval end ring, and them go. Thus not only does Essig not teach any device or method for undocking, his teaching for docking is cumbersome, requires a minimum of four annual operations, and overcomes few of the problems commonly incurred in such maneuvers, all of which are addressed and innovatively overcome by the present embodiments. 
     Other approaches in prior art include reels for docking lines which are attached to the vessel or the ground under it rather to the dock, including for example L. C. Gordon and D. C. Knight, U.S. Pat. No. 6,095,075, Aug. 1, 2000. This invention does not discuss automatic docking or undocking, nor extension and retrieval of a docking line, least of all with only one manual operation. Neither this nor any other of these approaches address means to extend or affix the line to a dock or piling nor means or procedures for retrieving the attachment when undocking, all of which are the subject of this embodiments. 
     There is considerable prior art in spring actuated reels for storing lines, many of which were conceived to control animals on leash or lunge, or for deploying clotheslines and storing the lines when no longer needed. Specific examples in 119/794 and 119/795 include U.S. Pat. No. 5,377,626, U.S. Pat. No. 6,845,736, U.S. Pat. No. 4,470,558 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,813,816, all of which teach the particulars of spring-actuated mechanisms but do not address the problem of access to, easy deployment from, and easy retrieval of lines attached to a fixed structure used over the water, and which can only be accessed remotely rather than the continuous hands-on access of these animal control reel operated devices. 
     In summary a search of prior art has found a field well populated with inventions, but none that teach all the necessary elements or methods of the present embodiments, and none that result in its capabilities, all of which are addressed by the present embodiments and are described below. 
     SUMMARY 
     The embodiments describe apparatus and method for reversibly operating a docking line for attaching and detaching an aquatic vessel to a fixed over-water structure. One embodiment comprises a normal docking line, a thin retrieval line permanently attached to the docking line and operated by a spring-actuated reel to retract the docking line when it is manually released from the vessel and store it proximal to the fixed structure out of the way and above the water, all in one operation; and to reverse the operation by manually extending the docking line with thin retrieval line attached and attach it to the vessel in order to dock it, also all in one operation. Alternate embodiments comprise using weighted blocks and pulleys to generate the tension force, or use an elastic cord as the sole means of generating the tension force. The embodiments also comprise varied means to keep the retrieval line proximal to the docking line and preventing snags and kinks, thereby assuring controlled retraction and storage of the docking line. 
     Advantages 
     These embodiments, in contrast to current and previous art, will make the handling and storage of docking lines for boats and other aquatic vessels easy, safe, and quick, both when leaving a dock or slip and when returning to it. In particular they will allow the operator when undocking his vessel to detach the docking line from the vessel and simply to let it go, the embodiments proceeding to retrieve the docking line, store it neatly in such manner that all the docking line lies clear of the water and close to a piling or other fixed structure and away from the vessel, and presenting it neatly ready for the next docking opportunity, all in one easy manual operation. It will also enable an operator when docking the vessel to grasp the end of the docking line which will be available, presented, and ready for use as stored, pull it onto the vessel and attach it there, likewise all in one easy manual operation, which will automatically cause the embodiments to be in the identical configuration as they were at the beginning of the undocking operation without any extra operations. When several such embodiments are used in several directions from several pilings or docks to the vessel the constant tension from the docking lines will also maintain the vessel substantially centered in the slip in the presence of variable winds and tides. This simplicity, safety, and convenience of operation are not anticipated in prior art found, nor are they available in any product on the market. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ALL THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates the extended, or docked configuration of the currently preferred embodiment 
         FIG. 2  illustrates the retracted, or undocked configuration of the currently preferred embodiment 
         FIG. 3  is a larger drawing otherwise similar to  FIG. 2 , positioned over a floating dock 
         FIG. 4  illustrates one of many possible spring actuated reel line retractors 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a spherical line stopper and its means of attachment to a docking line 
         FIG. 6  illustrates the end of a docking line in which a loop is formed near to but not at its end 
         FIG. 7  shows an attachment fitting clamped on a docking line and accommodating a retrieval line 
         FIGS. 8A-8C  are views of two alternate configurations of the attachment fitting of  FIG. 7   
         FIGS. 9A-9C  are views of two alternate configurations of the attachment fitting of  FIG. 7 , with friction adjustment means 
         FIG. 10  illustrates the extended, or docked configuration of the first alternate embodiment 
         FIG. 11  illustrates the retracted, or undocked configuration of the first alternate embodiment 
         FIG. 12  is a larger drawing otherwise the same as  FIG. 11   
         FIG. 13  illustrates a ring attached to the docking line with threads, and holding the retrieving line 
         FIG. 14  illustrates a ring as in  FIG. 13  but including a friction-increasing material layer 
         FIG. 15  shows a ring attached to the docking line with a clamp fitting 
         FIG. 16A-16B  show two views of the attach fitting of  FIG. 15   
         FIGS. 17A-17B  show two alternate plates comprising the fitting of  FIG. 15   
         FIGS. 18A-18C  are three views of a water drag disc attached to the docking line 
         FIG. 19  illustrates the extended, or docked configuration of the second alternate embodiment 
         FIG. 20  illustrates the retracted, or undocked configuration of the second alternate embodiment 
         FIG. 21  is a larger drawing otherwise the same as  FIG. 20   
         FIG. 22  shows ligatures or threads attaching the bungee cord and docking line of the 2nd alternate embodiment 
         FIG. 23  illustrates one way to attach the bungee of the second alternate embodiment to a piling 
         FIG. 24  illustrates the extended, or docked configuration of the third alternate embodiment 
         FIG. 25  illustrates the retracted, or undocked configuration of the third alternate embodiment 
         FIG. 26  is a larger drawing otherwise the same as  FIG. 25   
         FIG. 27  illustrates an alternate means of attaching the frame of  FIG. 26  to a piling 
         FIG. 28  illustrates the extended, or docked configuration of the fourth alternate embodiment 
         FIG. 29  illustrates the retracted, or undocked configuration of the fourth alternate embodiment 
         FIG. 30  is a larger drawing otherwise the same as  FIG. 29   
         FIG. 31  illustrates an alternate means of attaching the frame of  FIG. 30  to a piling 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       FIGS. 1 through 9C  apply to the currently preferred embodiment 
     The currently preferred embodiment is illustrated in  FIG. 1  in a fully extended configuration in which the vessel is docked, and in  FIG. 2  in a fully retracted position in which the vessel is undocked.  FIG. 1  shows a vessel  2  in its slip or at dock tied to a piling  6  or other such fixed structure, using one or more docking lines  8 . Each docking line is usually though not always terminated in a closed loop  10 , which is fastened around a stanchion, cleat, or other fixture  4  on the vessel to dock it—that is to tie it to the fixed structure. 
     Attached to the piling  6  is an assembly  16  for retracting, storing, and allowing the extension of a retrieving line whose purpose is to reel in the docking line when so desired, and to pay it out again when that is wished. In this embodiment this assembly comprises a spring-operated retraction reel, illustrated in  FIG. 4 , around which the retraction line is wound by the action of the spring. It is understood that many configurations are possible for such an assembly, and most will function as described herein. One end of the retrieving line  22  is attached to the housing or frame  26  of assembly  16 , and the free end passes through opening  28  in its housing and through a channel in each of the attach fitting assemblies  12 , which are each fixed to the docking line  8 , and terminates and is attached to stopper  14  which is attached to docking line  8  near its loose end. The retraction reel assembly  16  is attached to the piling or fixed structure  6  either through an immobile fastening base  18  or via a hinge  20  to that base, which allows said assembly to pivot around its vertical axis. The hinge could also be made horizontal so as to allow pivoting around the horizontal axis. Either configuration would allow it be moved as far away from the vessel as possible when retraction of the docking line is complete. 
     The retractor assembly  16  can be similar to clothes-line retractors or dog-leash retractors in common use, many of which are in the public domain. It can use a conventional spring or a constant-tension or negator spring to produce its tension, either being shown as  34 , which tension is transferred to the retraction line  22  through reel  32  or other means of holding the traction line under tension, with enough capacity to accommodate the anticipated full length of the docking line. The docking line attach fitting assemblies  12 , of which three are illustrated though more or fewer could be used, are each attached to the docking line  8  by any of a number means including threading by yarns, attaching with adhesive compound, attaching with threads, or by compression, which is illustrated. Stopper  14  is a structure or protuberance attached to the docking line, which is made too large to pass through the attach fitting assemblies  12  or shaped appropriately for the same effect. This stopper could be made of metal, plastic, rubber or other soft material to minimize shocks upon sudden stoppage or damaging the vessel or fixed structure. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates the embodiment in its retracted position, and  FIG. 4  is a larger drawing of same. The attach fitting assemblies  12  are adjacent to the retraction reel assembly. The stopper  14  on retraction line  22 , which is attached to the docking line  8 , has pulled the attach fittings to their position adjacent to the assembly  16 . The docking line  8  hangs in half-loops from the attach fittings, the reel assembly, and the stopper, as does the end of line  8  including loop  10  if used. All portions of the docking line are disconnected from the vessel, are proximal to the piling or fixed structure, and hang out of the water. 
     The retraction reel assembly is illustrated in  FIG. 3 . It consists of its housing  26  which is attached to a hinge  20  which itself is attached to a mounting plate  18 , which can be flat or curved to fit a piling.  FIG. 3  also shows the reel assembly mounted to a different mounting plate  19  which is deeper so as to space the embodiment further away from the piling when the embodiment is used with a floating dock, which is not affixed to any supporting piling, the extra spacing being to allow any folds in the retracted docking line  8  that might contact the dock during the highest tides to fall on the dock away from the piling so as not to get caught between dock and piling as the water rises and falls. The housing  26  has an optional sturdy ring  27  attached to it near to the opening  28  through which the retraction line  22  emerges from the housing, which ring is held at an offset position from the housing by struts  29 . This ring is too small to pass the attach fittings  12  or the stopper  14 . The ring  27  and its supports on a reel assembly may not be necessary if the reel housing is sufficiently sturdy to withstand the forces from the fittings, rings, stopper, and docking line, or it can be so designed to the same end. The retrieving line  22  winds around the internal reel  32 , which is free to rotate around a fixed spindle  30 , and is connected to the reel at one end and the other end passes through the hole in the housing  28 . There is a spring connecting the reel and the fixed spindle, which is wound and unwound by rotation of the reel. 
       FIG. 5  shows one means of attaching stopper  14  to the docking line  8 , in this example via a compression fitting attached to the stopper, and operated by a threaded bolt and nut  36  and  37 .  FIG. 3  is a larger drawing of the retracted embodiment, illustrating the elements described above. Though it is expected that the attach fittings on docking line  8  will be pulled snug against each other by the stopper under the pull of the retrieving line, some space is shown between them in this figure for clarity of illustration. In addition  FIG. 6  shows an alternate docking line ending in which the loop  10  is not at its end by at some distance away, which is also used on some vessels. Indeed in many cases there is no end loop at all, the end of line  8  being wrapped around the vessel cleat  4  for docking. 
     The docking line attach fitting assemblies  12  are detailed in  FIGS. 7-9 .  FIG. 7  shows a fitting  12  attached to docking line  8  and the retrieving line passing through a channel in  12 .  FIG. 8A  shows an end view of the fitting, illustrating a configuration consisting of two identical mirror image parts  38  and  40  which are clamped onto line  8  by bolts  42  and locking nuts  44 . The lower part of the fitting halves contains the opening through which the retrieving line  22  passes.  FIG. 8B  shows a frontal view of the fitting part  38  and bolts  42 , and also illustrates the shape of the channel for the retrieving line  22  on its interior surface  51 , which is flared in-plane. The frontal view of fitting part  40  is identical to that of  38 .  FIG. 8C  shows an end view of an alternate shape of the end plates of the attach fittings  39  and  41 , which have flared channels  43  and  45  out of the plane of the end plates as well as in-plane.  FIGS. 9A and 9B  show a different design of fitting assemblies  12  which differs from those of  FIGS. 8A and 8B  in that the two lower bolts  52  and locking nuts  58  are each secured through a spring  54  and retaining washer  56 , which allow varying pressure to be exerted by the fitting halves on the retrieving line  22 .  FIG. 9C  shows an alternate view of the end plates of  9 A and  9 B which have flares  53  and  55  both in plane and out of the plane of the end plates. 
     Operation of the Preferred Embodiment 
     The operation of the preferred embodiment will be described for the retraction operation during undocking and then for the extension during docking operation in turn, with reference to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  4 . The act of undocking the vessel begins by detaching the docking line  8  in  FIG. 1  from the vessel, and simply letting it go. This act begins the retracting action, since the tension from the retracting line  22  is no longer offset by the equal and opposite force provided by the vessel when docked. It is anticipated that at least some part of the docking line, with the retrieval line attached, will probably fall into the water. The retrieving line tension provided by reel assembly  16  begins to pull the retrieving line toward and into the retraction assembly, and since the retrieving line is attached to the docking line at stopper  14  near its end it will also thereby begin pulling on the docking line. As this operation continues and the retraction line continuously wraps around the retraction assembly reel  26  driven by spring  34  there will continue to be tension on the retraction line, and since the retraction reel assembly is attached to the piling or fixed object the retraction line  22  will continue to be pulled toward the retraction reel assembly  16 . 
     The unavoidable existence of drag on the docking line due to the water, as well as on the attach fitting assemblies  12  and stopper  14 , as the docking line begins to move through the water will generate increased tension forces directed against the direction of motion, and away from the reel assembly. While the water will also cause some drag forces on the retrieving line, since the retrieving line is very much thinner than the docking line those forces will be much smaller. The net result will be that a drag-induced tensioning force will operate on the docking line in a direction away from the fixed structure, and will increase the total tension in retrieving line  22 . This drag force will help the retrieval line to slide through the channels in the attach fitting assemblies  12  attached to the docking line, since the retrieval line  22  has a force toward the retraction reel assembly while the docking line and its attached fitting assemblies experience a force away from the reel assembly due to water drag. This differential drag therefore will cause the retraction line to slide through the attach fittings and pull on the stopper  14 , which will cause the docking line  8  to move toward the reel assembly. 
     This process will continue until the first attach fitting hits the retraction reel assembly at ring  27  and stops there. The docking line will begin to sag under the pull of gravity while the retraction line continues to pull on the remaining portions of the docking line by continued pull on the stopper  14 . Since the retraction line is prevented from significantly sagging due to its tension, the remainder on the docking line will continue to be pulled toward the retraction assembly, aided by the drag of the water upon the docking line, until the next attach fitting contacts the first fitting and both are stopped at the retraction reel assembly. The process will continue until all attach fittings are pulled into contact at the retraction reel ring  27 , or the reel assembly housing if the ring is not used, and the docking line stopper  14  is flush with the attach fittings. Alternately the water drag may be such that some or all of the attach fitting assemblies  12  will come together in the water, and if so then all would be pulled against the retraction reel assembly nearly at the same time. Whichever process occurs the net result is the same, which is that all the attach fitting assemblies with the docking line attached are pulled out of the water by the retraction line and stored near or at the reel assembly. Clearly the action of the spring  34  on the retraction reel  32  and thus on the retraction line  22  must be strong enough that it can lift the entire weight of the docking line and all attach fittings and stopper clear of the water, even if wet. 
     The net result of the action of the retrieving line tension and the collapsing of the distance between the attach fittings as well as to the reel assembly is that a number of half-loops of docking line will hang from the attach fittings  12 , as well as the portion of the docking line beyond the stopper, including loop  10  if such is used, and all portions will hang out of the water. This is the condition of the fully retracted position of the device, illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The spacing between the attach fittings on the docking line is preferably chosen so that the bottoms of the hanging loops of docking line as well as the end loop will be above the highest expected water level. The number of attach fittings is preferably chosen to accommodate the length of docking line that is desired, which in turn depends on many factors including the wind, waves, separation desired between vessel and dock, available bumpers or fenders, and other factors. Both the number and spacing of attach fittings may be set based on other criteria as well. The spring tension of the retraction assembly would be preferably chosen so as to be great enough to reliably retract the docking line to its fully stored position while the line and all attachments were wet and while in the process dragging the docking line and all its attachments through the water, yet not so strong as to make the extension of the docking line so high as to require excessive manual force when docking. This retrieving line tension must also be chosen taking into account the change in such tension between fully retracted and fully extended retrieving line condition, if a negator spring or other tension-leveling spring or device is not used. 
     The immersion of the docking line and retrieval line during retraction will be very temporary, as it is expected that the lines will be fully retrieved in a matter of seconds. Nonetheless the lines and fittings will probably get wet, and the water on the retrieving line will wet the interior of the retraction reel assembly. Such short term wetting is not harmful, as all such lines are designed for frequent immersion and are subject to rain as well. Importantly however, the embodiment rapidly lifts the docking line out of the water and keeps them there preventing long term immersion, which is the condition to be avoided in order to prevent deterioration of the lines, accumulation of growth of marine organisms, and presenting a hazard to an approaching or departing vessel. Additionally the retraction reel assembly must be so designed with provision for drainage and proper choice of materials that frequent or long term wetting will not disrupt its operation or cause rapid deterioration. 
     While it is anticipated that the drag on the docking line as it is pulled by the retrieving line will be sufficient to hold back the docking line so that the retrieving line slides through the attach fittings and draws the docking line in with all fittings coming to rest together at the retraction reel, that drag may not be sufficient for a full, orderly, and reliable retrieval. That could occur, for example, if the docking line forms a bend or kink while in the water. Should that turn out to be the case, an increase in the friction between the attach fittings and the retrieval line may be necessary to ensure that the attach fittings and stopper all proceed toward the retraction reel assembly in an orderly way and all the way. To this end the attach fitting assemblies  12  have a provision for adjusting their friction on the retracting line, which is illustrated in  FIGS. 9A ,  9 B, and  9 C, in which the friction is adjustable by tightening the locking nuts  58  on bolts  52 . This allows not only for increasing or decreasing the friction on the retrieval line but for the setting of the level of friction to be different for each of the attach fittings. 
     This may be important because in practice it would be advantageous to adjust the friction to be lowest on the attach fitting closest to the retrieval reel and greatest on that furthest toward the end of the docking line, with in-between fittings having in-between levels of friction. This differential friction will generate differential tensioning forces, the least near the end of the docking line that is attached to piling  6 , and will ensure that he closest attach fitting, with its portion of the docking line attached, is pulled into contact with the retraction reel first, with the other attach fittings and their attached portions of docking line following in order, with the furthest ones being last. Alternatively the attach fittings, with the docking line attached, could come together while still in the water, and then be pulled toward the retraction reel at the same time. The level of friction for each attach fitting could be preset at the time of manufacture for different expected conditions, or at the time of installation, followed by adjustments based on experience or by trial and error. 
     Another feature of the attach fittings is that the design of the opening or channel through which the retraction line  22  passes through each fitting assembly when they are attached to the docking line has its surface smoothly expanded into a greater size toward both sides of the fittings. This is shown as  51  in  FIGS. 8A-8B  and  9 A- 9 B. These wider openings define a smooth and gradually narrowing channel to prevent the retrieval line from binding against the fitting plates  38 ,  40 ,  48 , or  50  should the geometry of the docking line and attached fittings during retrieval be temporarily such that the retrieval line enters or exits a fitting at an angle other than about 90 degrees. This situation could readily arise if the friction adjustments on the attach fittings are improperly set, or have changed with time or for other reasons, and the retrieval process results in such angles. Furthermore during the docking maneuver and extension of the docking line these angles could also vary considerably from being right angles, and the gradual expansion of the opening  51  in the attach fittings will ensure that binding or damage to the retrieval line does not occur during either undocking or docking maneuvers. While an improvement, the attach fittings have a further alternate configuration to address potential binding that could occur if the pull on the retrieving line  22  is substantially out of the plane of the end plates of the attach fittings  12 . These alternate configurations of the end plates,  39  and  41  in  FIGS. 8C and 47  and  49  in  FIG. 9C  have, in addition to the in-plane smooth flare an additional out of plane smooth flare on both sides of both end plates, shown as  43  and  45 , and  53  and  55  for the attach fittings without and with the friction adjustment means respectively. 
     The undocking operation of this embodiment is simplicity itself. On leaving the dock or slip the vessel operator simply lifts the end loop or unwraps the line end of each docking line from its cleat or other fastener on the boat, and lets it go. The operator does not have to tie the docking lines to a dock cleat or place them out of the way of other operators or people on the dock, nor attempt to throw the docking line onto a dock so that it stays out of the water. The operator does not have to give any thought whatsoever to the docking line once he has let it go, and can instead concentrate on maneuvering the vessel out or away from the slip or dock without giving a single thought to safe storage of the docking lines, or worry lest they fall in the water and stay there, and thus get covered with marine organisms and create a navigation hazard. The operation of pulling the docking line out of the water and holding it thus and near to the piling or fixed structure is solely due to the functioning of the embodiment as discussed above, and is not dependent on any rotation of the retraction reel assembly about its vertical or horizontal axis which rotation, if used, simply ensures that the entire embodiment lies as far away from the vessel as possible. The retraction reel assembly could also be fitted with a spring or weight to rotate it out of the way once the docking line were retracted if the rotation axis was vertical, while gravity would ensure such rotation if the axis were horizontal. 
     The extension process for docking the vessel is the reverse of the above. The end of the docking line which hangs from the retraction reel assembly is grasped by hand or with a boathook or the like and pulled toward the vessel. That action causes the docking line to extend to its full or required length, since the two are attached to each other, pulling the tensioned retraction line with it automatically such that all elements end up in place as shown in the same configuration as in  FIG. 1  again. To that goal the end of the docking line could beneficially have in it a loop like  10  for easy grasping by hand or a boat hook, though if a loop is not used, as is common in a fraction of normal docking line uses, the operator could as easily grasp one of the hanging half-loops of docking line by hand or with a boat hook. As the docking line is pulled toward the vessel by the operator the line will pull first on the stopper and then on the attach fittings in turn. The greater friction forces on the outward attach fittings and lower drag forces on the innermost fittings will ensure that they are all deployed in the reverse order to that when being retracted, and all will smoothly extend as the docking line extends. When the docking line has reached sufficient extension the operator can easily place the loop on the docking line directly over a cleat on the vessel and then let go, thus accomplishing docking with only one manual operation. Once the docking line is attached to the vessel via the end loop  10  or tied to the cleat the vessel is secured with no additional steps required. 
     The operation of the retraction reel in docking and extension of the docking line is automatic, powered by the spring-actuated reel in the retraction assembly. The pull exerted by the operator need only exceed the tension provided by the tensioning mechanism, which is envisioned to be small, especially if the retrieving assembly spring is of the constant-force or negator type, in order to retrieve the docking line and dock the vessel. Thus the operation of this embodiment of the docking line management system changes both the docking and undocking maneuvers from what are now complex, time consuming, difficult, and tension filled operations into a hassle-free and easy 1-step docking and 1-step undocking operations, each of which requires only one manual operation, and a complete docking and undocking sequence only requires a total of two manual operations regardless of the order in which performed. 
     Description of the First Alternate Embodiment 
       FIGS. 10 through 18C  apply to the first alternate embodiment. 
     The first alternate embodiment is shown in  FIG. 10  in the fully extended or docked position and in  FIG. 11  in the fully retracted or undocked position, and in a larger drawing in  FIG. 12 . This embodiment differs from the that of the currently preferred embodiment in part in that the retrieving line  22  passes through rings  60  attached to the docking line  8 , rather than through attach fittings. While seemingly superficial this has fundamental ramification differences in the retrieving operation. The stopper  14  is made large enough to not pass through rings  60 . The rings  60  are attached to docking line  8  though any number of means, the ones illustrated in  FIGS. 13 and 14  being threads or stitches  68 . The rings can also be made with an increased friction layer  66  on the inside surface. The rings can alternately be attached to the docking line with attach fitting assemblies  70 , as shown in  FIG. 15 , and which are detailed in  FIGS. 16A-17B , which are not the same as attach fittings  60 . Frontal and side views of the attach fittings are shown on  FIGS. 16A and 16B  respectively. The fittings consist of end plates  72  and  76 , which are held together by bolts  74  and locking nuts  78 . The end pieces  72  and  76  have a circular hole each through which a ring  60  can be attached, assuming that the rings are so designed as to allow their insertion into a closed circular opening, as well as holes  75  for the attach bolts. Alternately end pieces  80  and  84  can be used, shown in  FIGS. 17A and 17B , each of which has an opening  82  and  86  respectively, which allow the rings to be inserted and retained and then the end pieces to be securely bolted through holes  75 . Either of the configurations of  FIGS. 16A and 16B , and those of  FIGS. 17A and 17B  would have the holes for accommodating the rings larger that the cross-sectional diameter of the rings themselves, which would allow the rings to rotate freely after the end pieces are joined. 
     An optional water drag disc  86  is shown in  FIGS. 18  A-C, with an attached compression fitting designed to clamp the disc to the docking line via a bolt and locking nut, whose purpose would be to hold back the end of said line due to increased water drag on said disc as the line is reeled toward the retrieval assembly. Such a disc could be of any size and appropriate thickness and material, and could be flat or could be conical, depending on the degree of drag creation desired. This disc could be attached to the docking line using adhesive, thread, or be simply held in place by knots or loops of the docking line itself if desired, to the same effect of holding it in place. One disc could be attached near the vessel end of the docking line, or several along its length as desired. 
     Operation of the First Alternate Embodiment 
     The operation of this embodiment is very similar to that of the currently preferred embodiment, with the principal differences being in the use of rings rather than attach fittings to hold the retrieving line  22 , and in tension control means. In retraction the retrieving line  22  pulls on stopper  14  which engages the rings  60 , one at a time, and pulls them into contact with the retraction reel assembly, whose design can be similar to that of the currently preferred embodiment except for the design and size of the stopper ring  27  and its supports  29 , if used, which has to accommodate the larger diameter rings. The advantage of using rings rather than attach fittings  12  of the currently preferred embodiment is that the retrieving line  22  slides more freely through them and will not have a tendency to jam due to binding from line  22  not going through the attach fitting exactly in line with a hole through the fitting. The disadvantage is that the lack of friction between the rings and retrieving line may result in uneven retraction and subsequent jams in the retrieval process as the docking line is in the water. 
     To combat this potential problem the inside of the rings can be made with a friction increasing material such as rubber, which would help in increasing the tension force which helps to keep the docking line from kinking. This material is illustrated in  FIG. 14  as  66 , and could be deposited on the sides as well as on the inside of the rings. While the material would not increase the friction significantly were there no kinking, that is if the docking line stayed substantially straight during retrieval, if the docking line backed on itself or formed kinks the pull on the retrieval line would create substantially more resistance due to the increased friction from  66 , which would automatically create forces tending to straighten out the docking line during retrieval. These forces would be minimized during docking since the retrieval line  22 , as shown in  FIGS. 10-12 , generally passes straight though the rings generating little friction. An alternative would be to avoid depositing the friction-increasing material  66  on the inside the rings opposite to where they attach to the docking line so that the retrieving line slides easily through the rings during deployment from the undocked or retracted position. 
     Another alternative for increasing the frictional forces when undocking is to attach a water drag disc  86 , shown in  FIGS. 18A-18C , which is fastened to the docking line  8 , preferably at some point between the stopper  14  and the first ring nearest to it. In fact, if such a disc is used the stopper does not require to be of large diameter, if it needs to exist at all, as the disc will pull the rings, with the docking line attached, toward the retraction reel and the retracted position since the retrieving line attaches to the docking line near or at the location of the drag disc should one be used. The disc can be attached to the docking line with any numbed of means, the using of a clamp  88  operated by a bolt  90  and locking nut  92  being shown, in which the clamp is attached to the disc on a portion of its surface. 
     The operation and advantages of this first alternate embodiment are otherwise similar to that of the currently preferred embodiment, attaining the same end objectives, and will not be repeated here. 
     Description of the Second Alternate Embodiment 
       FIGS. 19 through 23  apply to the second alternate embodiment. 
     This embodiment attains the required retraction force not by the use of a spring-actuated reel as do the currently preferred embodiment but by the use of bungee cords. It is illustrated in  FIG. 19  in the fully extended or deployed state and in  FIG. 20  in the fully retracted, or undeployed state. The retracted state is further illustrated in the larger drawing of  FIG. 21 , and in  FIG. 22  showing attach means. The docking line  8  has attached to it at intervals along its length elastic cords known as bungee cords, usually made of some rubber-like material. These cords span most of the length of the docking line and could consist of a single long bungee cord fastened at multiple locations, or separate bungee cords fastened at their ends, with the ends preferably touching but could be attached with gaps in between cords. The bungee cords are identified as  94 , and shown attached by means  96  at their ends, or if one long line then at several locations. The retracted or undocked configuration is shown in  FIGS. 20 and 21 , in more detail, illustrating the sagging of the docking line between the points of attachment of the bungee cords  94  in the retracted configuration. The bungee cord closest to the piling  6  can be attached to the docking line by a number of techniques including threads, compression fittings, or bands including hook-and-loop fasteners, or fastened directly into the piling, the one illustrated in  FIGS. 21 and 23  being a screw  99  with large head and washer  97  driven though the bungee cord and its end compression fitting  98  into piling  6 , though fastening to the docking line is simple and effective and has the additional benefit that the entire embodiment can be easily transferred to a different location. The means of attaching the bungee cords to the docking line could be many including compression fittings, and hook-and-loop bands, or stitching, but the thread stitching (ligature) options  96  are shown in  FIG. 22  in which the stitching goes through both the docking line and the bungee cords, and in  FIG. 23  where the stitching encompasses both the docking line and the bungee cord and is pulled tight. 
     Operation of the Second Alternate Embodiment 
     This embodiment operates in a very similar way to that of the currently preferred embodiment in its overall functions, but very differently its implementation. When, during undocking, the docking line is let go the line probably also falls into the water, and the as the bungee cords assume their shorter rest length between the fastenings  96  they will pull the various segments of the docking line together causing those sections to go limp. This process occurs in all the segments essentially simultaneously so that the length of the bungee line, with untensioned sections of docking line attached, moves toward the portion of the docking line which is attached to the piling  6 . This process will pull all the segments of the bungee cord and attached docking line out of the water until the nearly relaxed bungee cord hangs from the piling  6 , with the half-loops of docking line between the attach points sagging in between. This position is illustrated in  FIGS. 20 and 21 . 
     The bungee cords and their attachments should be designed so that the retracted position of the cord is such that the entire length hangs out of the water and against the piling  6 . If used on a floating dock a spacer, not shown, can be used for mounting on the piling just under the attach point of the docking line and bungee cords so as to move the hanging bungee cord and docking line assembly away from the piling to avoid getting pinched as the dock floats up and down on the piling, similarly as was described in the currently preferred embodiment and first alternate embodiment. Commercially available bungee cords generally have a limit for how much they can safely stretch, which is larger the greater their cost. Even so, the generally accepted limit is a safe stretch of length between a factor of 2 and a factor of 4. The design of the system must therefore employ a sufficient number of segments of bungee cords, each fastened to the docking line at its ends, whether all of a given length or uneven lengths, so that the fully retracted length of the bungee cords equals that needed to keep the retracted assembly out of the water for a given desired length of fully extended docking line. 
     Take as an example a fully extended docking line length of 3 meters and maximum allowable hanging length when fully retracted of 1 meter. Regardless of the number of bungee cords used they must each be able to stretch a factor of three, which is given by the desired ratio of extended to collapsed length of the docking line. If for example 5 lengths of bungee cord are desired to be used then each must be 0.6 m long when stretched and 0.2 m long when relaxed. If 2 lengths are desired then each must be 1.5 m long when stretched and 0.5 m long when relaxed. If one cord is desired then it must be 3 m long when stretched and 1 m long when relaxed. In all of these examples the bungee cords have to be attached to the docking line at a number of points in order to keep the sagging half loops near the end of the docking line from significantly increasing the hanging retracted length. The choice would be made on the costs of attachment versus the costs of the bungee cords themselves. In addition the tension force generated by the bungee cords must be sufficient to lift the docking line completely out of the water when wet, which would be satisfied by proper choice of the bungee cord characteristics. 
     This embodiment has a very attractive simplicity, with a minimum of parts that could bind or fail, yet meets all the same objectives of the currently preferred embodiment. It principal disadvantage is that in order to implement a long docking line yet maintain a short hanging length when retracted, the ratio of these lengths may result in requirements for bungee cords with a large ratio of stretched to relaxed length and thus possibly shorter service life. In addition the outside cover or surface material of the bungee cords must be substantially resistant to deterioration by sunlight, which otherwise could shorten their service life. The operation and advantages of this alternate embodiment are otherwise similar to that of the currently preferred embodiment, attaining the same end objectives, and will not be repeated here. 
     Description of the Third Alternate Embodiment 
       FIGS. 24 through 27  apply to the third alternate embodiment. 
     This embodiment is similar to the currently preferred embodiment except in the source of the tensioning forces, which in this embodiment is provided not by a spring actuated retraction reel acting on line  22  but rather by a set of weighted pulleys acting on a retraction line  104 . This embodiment is shown in the docked or extended mode in  FIG. 24  and in the undocked or retracted mode in  FIG. 25 , and in a larger view in  FIG. 26 . The retracting line passes through attach fitting assemblies  12  attached to the docking line  8 , as in the currently preferred embodiment. Alternately the rings, line stopper, and drag disk of the first alternate embodiment could be used as well, though this description will use the attach fittings of the currently preferred embodiment without prejudice. A supporting structure  100  which is attached to the piling  6  holds a number of blocks  106 , each with one pulley, suspended from  100  by a strap or other structure  110 . This structure has on it one or more rings or U-shaped fasteners  102  attached for supporting docking line  8  on its way from the piling to the vessel, and to keep it from sagging onto the blocks. The blocks are connected to a lower set of blocks  108  by the retrieving line  104 . Each block  108  is connected to a weight  120  by a strap or other structure  116 . The upper blocks are each suspended by a structure with an attaching bolt or similar fastener  112  to structure  100  which allows rotation about a horizontal axis. The weights are suspended from the lower blocks, each with one pulley, by structures  116 , attached to the blocks by fasteners  118  that support the weight yet allow rotation about a horizontal axis. The block attachment structures may not need to be able to rotate on their own since the pulleys do rotate, satisfying the same need for self-alignment and possibly eliminating the need for rotatable fasteners. 
     The entire mechanism could be mounted not directly to the piling  6  but through a vertical hinge  103  in  FIG. 27 , mounted to a mounting plate  105  which is attached to the piling through screws  107 . The retracting line  104  is led alternating from upper to lower blocks and then fastened to the piling or to the support structure  100  at the end. The components  100 ,  103 ,  104 ,  105 ,  106 ,  107 ,  108 ,  110 ,  112 ,  116 , 118 , and  120  can be enclosed in a cover to keep out the elements if wished. This enclosure, not shown, could be similar to a shaped umbrella or box with open bottom to allow the weighted sheaves to descend as the docking line is retracted. The enclosure could also have openings for the docking line and retracting line to pass through them. The docking line with attach fittings and retracting line would hang outside this enclosure when retracted. 
     Operation of the Third Alternate Embodiment 
     The operation of this embodiment is similar to that of the currently preferred embodiment except that the tensioning forces are generated by the weighted pulleys. It is a simple arrangement and inherently has the desirable characteristics that the tensioning force provided is constant as the docking line is extended or retracted. The means of tension and friction control would be the same as those for the currently preferred embodiment, but could just as well be those of the first alternate embodiment. In addition, in this embodiment the tensioning force can be changed by changing the weights  120  to accommodate a heavier docking line or to change the tension when fully extended so as to better control the vessel&#39;s positioning in the presence of tides or winds; or alternately to reduce the tension force that the operator must overcome when extending the docking line during docking. The disadvantage of this embodiment is the complexity and number of moving parts, which could result in shorter life unless shielded from the elements. The operation and advantages of this alternate embodiment are otherwise similar to that of the currently preferred embodiment, attaining the same end objectives, and will not be repeated here. 
     Description of the Fourth Alternate Embodiment 
       FIGS. 28 through 31  apply to the fourth alternate embodiment. 
     The fourth alternate embodiment is identical to that of the third alternate embodiment except for the replacement of the several separate blocks and weights with a single set of two blocks, each containing a number of independent pulleys, and the replacement of the several weights with a single larger weight. It is shown in  FIG. 28  in the fully extended, docked configuration and in  FIG. 29  in the fully retracted or undocked configuration, which is also shown in the larger drawing of  FIG. 30 , and illustrates it use with the ring of the first alternate embodiment though it could as easily be used with the attach fittings of the currently preferred embodiment. The multiple pulley blocks are supported from a structure  126 , from which hangs the upper block  136  suspended by structure  134 , which is attached to the support  126  by a fastener that allows rotation about a horizontal axis or through penetration of a hole in  126 . The lower block  138  has a structure that supports the weight  142 , which structure is free to rotate about a horizontal axis. The system may function well without the suspension structures being able to rotate at all as the rotating pulleys provide a degree of self-alignment inherently. The retracting line  124  winds through all of the pulleys, alternating upper and lower, and is then attached to the upper structure  126  or to the piling  6 . The docking line  8  could pass through one or more rings such as  102  in  FIG. 26  if desired, though not shown in  FIGS. 28-30 . The structure  126  could be mounted directly to the piling or instead through a pivot or hinge on the vertical axis, either to a mounting block if on a floating dock, or directly to the piling. One such means of attachment is shown in  FIG. 31 , with the structure  126  mounted to a vertical hinge  146  which in turn is mounted to a mounting plate  144  which is attached to the piling by screws  148 . 
     Operation of the Fourth Alternate Embodiment 
     The function and operation of this embodiment is the same as that of the third alternate embodiment, with the difference that the two multi-pulley blocks replace the multiple separate blocks. In action, then, the single lower multi-pulley block will also move up and down in the extension and retraction operations respectively under the effect of the single weight. This embodiment has the advantages that it is even simpler than the third alternate embodiment and contains fewer parts leading to possibly greater reliability, and does not extend as far away from the piling and toward the vessel, lessening any hazard. It also maintains the same constant retrieving line tension as does the third alternate embodiment. The two multi-pulley blocks may cost more or less than the plurality of single-pulley blocks of the third alternate embodiment. It also could have shorter life unless shielded from the elements. The operation and advantages of this alternate embodiment are otherwise similar to that of the currently preferred embodiment, attaining the same end objectives, and will not be repeated here. 
     CONCLUSIONS, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE 
     These embodiments, in contrast to current and previous art, will make the handling and storage of docking lines for boats and other aquatic vessels easy, safe, and quick, both when leaving a dock or slip and when returning to it. In particular they will allow the operator when undocking his vessel to detach the docking line from the vessel and simply to let it go, the device proceeding to retrieve the docking line, store it neatly in such manner that all the docking line lies clear of the water and close to a piling or other fixed structure and away from the vessel, and presenting the docking line neatly ready for the next docking opportunity, all in one easy manual operation. It will also enable an operator when docking the vessel to grasp the end of the docking line which will be available, presented, and ready for use as stored, pull it onto the vessel and attach it there, likewise all in one easy manual operation, which will automatically cause the embodiments to be in the identical configuration as they were at the beginning of the undocking operation. Thus docking and undocking requires only one manual operation each, and a complete docking and undocking sequence only requires a total of two manual operations regardless of the order in which performed. When used in several directions from several pilings or docks to the vessel the constant tension from the docking lines will also maintain the vessel substantially centered in the slip in the presence of variable winds and tides. This simplicity, safety, and convenience of operation are not anticipated in prior art found, nor are they available in any product on the market. 
     The retraction lines used can be thinner and much weaker than the docking lines they will retract as they never carry either static or dynamic vessel docking loads or stresses, those being solely carried by the stronger and heavier docking lines and transferred directly to the piling or dock. This fact also allows the retraction reel or weighted blocks or bungee cords of the different embodiments to be much lighter, weaker, and smaller than they would have to be if they had to handle the full tension loads or stresses generated by the vessel. All the embodiments accomplish the desired functions without exerting forces on the retrieving lines greater than those necessary for overcoming the weight of the docking line and the fittings and other attachments mounted on it, and such forces can be readily generated by practical spring reels, weighted blocks, or bungee cords. Therefore it is expected that the force that an operator would have to use to extend the docking line from its stored position will be low, and not a burden to any operator regardless of his or her physical strength. 
     An added benefit of the embodiments is that when a docking line fashioned according these embodiments is attached to the vessel, the tension from the spring actuated reel, weighted pulleys, or bungee cords will act continuously on that line and pull on the vessel. Similar pull will also be experienced from all the other such docking lines used to attach to the vessel. Since these docking lines are usually attached to the vessel from several directions such as forward left and right sides and rear left and right sides, the constant tension in the embodiments&#39; docking lines will tend to keep the vessel centered in its slip at all times. This is an advantage over using the usual non-tensioned docking lines in that the vessel is substantially kept away from the sides of its slip, thus avoiding damage due to scraping against the dock or slip due to wind, waves, changing water level, or other causes. 
     This docking line handling system can be used alone, or in conjunction with any number of boat-hook devices intended to enable easier reaching or grasping a remote loop or piling from the vessel. The retrieval loop at or near the end of the docking line can be a part of the docking line, or be made of plastic, metal, or other materials and attached to it. It could also could be constructed having two orthogonal planes of material, or in any other shape if it would be better for it not to lie flat when in the retracted position to make for easier grasping for retrieval. In practice, most docking lines that are pre-fabricated contain such a loop on one end, and that end is used in attaching the docking line to the fixed dock or piling then the free end will have no loop at all. Under those conditions the docking line is simply wrapped around a cleat such as 4 on the vessel for docking. Otherwise a loop could simply be tied at that end if desired or use by wrapping, either being equally effective. 
     The spring actuated retraction reel or weighted tension assembly of those embodiments that use it can be designed to be removed from the piling by the simple expedient of detaching it and the docking line from the piling or fixed structure, so that the boater can to take them with him to another slip. Alternatively the reel or weighted blocks assembly, with or without docking line attached, could be furnished or rented by the marina operator and be a permanent fixture of a slip. The embodiments using bungee cords attached to the docking lines can also be moved to a different slip when desired by the simple expedient of detaching the docking line, should the bungee cords be solely attached to it, or by unfastening both the bungee cord and docking line from the piling, and moving both to a new location. 
     Though the illustrations generally describe the embodiments&#39; use on slips or docks that are rigidly fixed to pilings the device could as well be installed to operate on a floating dock. If necessary this may be facilitated by the simple expedient of mounting the spring-actuated reel or weighted blocks assemblies or the bungee cord attachment on a spacer with respect to the piling or fixed structure, which would prevent any docking line half-looks from getting pinched between floating dock and piling as the water level rises. However, depending on the dimensions of the retraction means such a spacer may not be needed if the loops and end of the docking line fall clear of the gap between the floating dock and the piling. These embodiments could also be used on floating or anchored moorings. Furthermore, while these embodiments are aimed at recreational boaters operating either power or sail vessels, it clearly has broader uses for marine mooring and docking of vessels of larger sizes, and other uses as well for which the simplicity of attaching and detaching a movable to a fixed object in one simple automatic operation would prove advantageous. 
     While shown principally as part of the first alternate embodiment, the water drag disc or discs may be used on all embodiments, and would have the additional benefit of functioning as rodent shields similar to those used on commercial vessels. Throughout several of the embodiments the retraction reel assembly may also be referred to a simply the reel assembly, and both may be used interchangeably without prejudice. Similarly the attach fitting assemblies that are used on the docking lines in some embodiments may also be referred to as attach fittings interchangeably, and without prejudice. The reel assembly and internal parts, as well as any bearings and the spring system, the housing, and indeed most parts of the spring actuated reel embodiments; and the blocks, pulleys and other parts of the weighted blocks embodiments, are envisioned to preferably be made of non-rusting materials though that is not necessary for their functioning and it is an economics decision whether to make them non-rusting and more expensive, or rust-prone but cheaper and periodically replaced. The bungee cords should be long lasting if their outer surfaces are made substantially resistant to the effects of sunlight. 
     While the description and operation sections of the embodiments contain many details and specifics, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments, but as merely providing illustrations of several possible embodiments. Thus the scope of the embodiments should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.