Patent ID: 8607418

Claim:
A latching mechanism comprising: a main body having a channel for accepting a dock line; a latching member pivotally secured within the main body and moveable between a latching position and an unlatching position, the latching member being pivotable about a pivot point on the main body; a spring force within the main body holding the latching member in the latching position; a cable attached to the latching member at a location on an opposite side of the pivot point to pivot the latching member to the unlatching position against the spring force and wherein the cable is attached to the latching member at the location on the opposite side of the pivot point from the spring force, such that the pivot point is between the cable and the spring force; a first and second bolt securing the latching member to a bow of a boat wherein at least one bolt is hollow; wherein the cable extends through the hollow bolt.