Patent ID: 7992262

Claim:
A cleat, for use in connection with a structure and a rope, the structure having an upper surface and a mounting hole through the upper surface, the cleat comprising: a body having a U-shaped cavity therein, the U-shaped cavity having an entrance leg, an exit leg, and a confluent portion where the entrance leg and the exit leg communicate, the entrance leg being larger than the exit leg, the U-shaped cavity being tapered between the entrance leg and the exit leg, the body being adapted for insertion into the mounting hole; and a flange attached to the body, the flange having opposite upper and lower surfaces, the flange being adapted for mounting against the structure, the flange having an entrance hole and an exit hole spaced apart on the flange upper surface and extending through the flange, the entrance hole being larger than the exit hole, the entrance and exit holes communicating with the U-shaped cavity, the entrance and exit holes being adapted to pass the rope into the entrance hole, through the U-shaped cavity, and out the exit hole.