Abstract:
BOATBABY, a portable, auto retractable marine line (rope) reel, attachable, spring loaded receptacle for marine line (rope) used in docking, trailering and launching a boat is disclosed. No current device exits.

Description:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a retractable marine rope assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the retractable marine rope assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
     Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features. 
     Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention generally provides a retractable marine rope and may be referred to as a “BOATBABY” retractable marine rope. Embodiments of the present invention may be portable and may be attachable to a boat or pleasure craft. Embodiments of the present invention may be useful during boat launching and docking. 
     A retractable marine rope assembly  10  according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 1-2 . The retractable marine rope assembly  10  may include a retractable spring loaded reel  14 , a rail coupling sub-assembling  32  and an attaching sub-assembly  34 . 
     The retractable spring loaded reel  14  may include a length of marine rope  12 . For some embodiments, the marine rope  12  may be about 50 feet in length and may include a loop  30 . The retractable spring loaded reel  14  may include a marine rope guide  18  and the marine rope  12  may be provided with a marine rope stop  16 . 
     The rail coupling sub-assembly  32  may be in contact with the retractable spring loaded reel  14  and may be designed to couple the reel  14  to a top rail (not shown) of a boat (not shown). For some embodiments, the rail coupling sub-assembly  32  may comprise at least one top rail hook  20  and at least one bolt  22 . For some embodiments, the rail coupling sub-assembly  32  may include two top rail hooks  20  and two bolts  22  and may be configured to suspend the retractable spring loaded reel  14  from the top rail of the boat. 
     The attaching sub-assembly  34  may be in contact with the retractable spring loaded reel  14  and may be designed to attach the reel  14  to a stanchion (not shown) of the boat. For some embodiments, the attaching sub-assembly  34  may comprise at least one carabiner fastener  28 , at least one eyebolt  24  and at least one washer  26 . For some embodiments, the attaching sub-assembly  34  may include two carabiner fasteners  28 , two eyebolts  24  and two washers  26 . For some embodiments, the attaching sub-assembly  34  may be configured to releasably attach the retractable spring loaded reel  14  to the stanchion of the boat. 
     To install, a person may use the rail coupling sub-assembly  32  to suspend the retractable spring loaded reel  14  from the rail of the boat and may use the attaching sub-assembly  34  to fasten the retractable spring loaded reel  14  to the stanchion of the boat. 
     To use, the person may pull the desired length of marine rope  12  from the retractable spring loaded reel  14 , exit the boat and secure the rope  12  to a dock cleat (not shown). 
     Using embodiments of the present invention, one person may control both the bow and stern of the boat. Embodiments of the present invention may reduce collisions and drifting while deboarding. Embodiments of the present invention may provide rope storage and eliminate the time spent searching for the rope. 
     It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.