Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
  • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
  • B63B21/00—Tying-up; Shifting, towing, or pushing equipment; Anchoring
  • B63B21/54—Boat-hooks or the like, e.g. hooks detachably mounted to a pole

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a device for automatically and easily passing a rope around an anchoring element.
• It comprises a fork with two branches whose mutual spacing is sufficient to allow the introduction of the anchoring element between them.
• One such device finds one of its applications for mooring boats. It allows to pass a rope around the ring of a buoy or a mooring bar.
• It can also be used to pass a rope around a bar, for example in order to lift an object. More generally, it finds its application when it is desired to pass a rope around an anchoring element which is difficult to reach manually.
• a device of this kind is described in US-A-3,813,122. It consists of a fork with two branches and a flat and elongated element called "shuttle". The ends of the fork legs each have an opening, which are directed in opposite directions.
• the shuttle includes a light for the passage of a rope as well as the studs intended to be positioned in the openings of the branches of the fork.
• the placing of the rope around an anchoring element is done by pushing the shuttle against this element, which causes it to pivot around one of the studs. By pulling on the line, the shuttle is brought back to its initial position and then the fork is pulled so as to rotate the shuttle around the other stud. The passage of the rope around the anchoring element was thus carried out.
• the shuttle Because the shuttle has two pivot points, it constitutes an independent part from the rest of the device. As such, it is likely to come off unexpectedly from the fork and thus, to be lost or fall into the water when mooring a boat. In addition, its handling requires a certain training.
• the present invention aims to overcome these drawbacks.
• This device which consists of a fork with two branches whose mutual spacing is sufficient to allow the introduction of the anchoring element between them, is characterized in that it comprises a finger articulated at the end of a first branch and in that there are provided first and second means for wedging the rope, one on the finger and the other on the second branch of the fork, substantially opposite the finger, so that, initially, the rope is made integral with the first clamping means, then, after introduction of the anchoring element between the legs of the fork, it leaves the first clamping means to engage with the second wedging means, which realizes the passage of the rope around the anchoring element.
• At least one of the wedging means consists of a cutout provided in the branch and / or in the finger;
• the cutout has the general shape of a "V" with close wings, the point of which is directed towards the free end of the branches;
• the wedging means provided on the finger consists of a pair of elastic tabs between which the rope is trapped;
• - Figure 1 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of part of the device;
• - Figure 2 is a front view of the end of one of the legs of the fork;
• FIG. 3 is a top view (on a larger scale) of the finger which equips the device; - The figure is a view intended to show how the establishment of a rope is carried out on the device of the invention;
• FIGS. 5 to 9 are schematic views intended to explain the establishment of a rope around an anchoring element using the device of the invention.
• the device which is the subject of the invention is a gaff having the general shape of a fork. It includes a handle 1 made of plastic or metal. Preferably, it is formed of several sections adaptable to each other for example by screwing, which allows, when not in use of the device, to store it more easily.
• this handle At one end of this handle is attached a member 2 with two branches. It is fixed there for example by gluing, screwing or by other fixing means known to those skilled in the art.
• the handle 1 and the member 2 form a single piece.
• This member 2 comprises two branches 3 and 4 which extend parallel to each other and substantially in the same plane. As seen in Figure 1, the branch is located in the extension of the handle 1 and the branch 3 is offset from it.
• the member 2 is made of plastic, for example by molding.
• the branch has a greater length than that of the branch 3.
• These are joined by an intermediate zone 7 which has, on the side of the branches 3 and, a curved profile.
• the area 7 is also curved and extends on the same side as the handle, and substantially parallel to the latter, by a point 8 forming a hook, which is located substantially in the extension of the branch 3.
• the mutual spacing between the branches 3 and 4 is sufficient to allow the introduction of an anchoring element whose section is of medium size. This spacing is for example of the order of 50 mm when the device is intended for mooring a boat; however, it may be more important.
• this cutout In the hollow body of the branch 4, and on the side of the branch 3, there is provided a cutout 0 directed substantially along the axis of the branch. As shown in Figure 2, this cutout has a substantially "V" shape with close wings, the tip 400 of the "V” being directed towards the free end of the branch and having a rounded shape.
• the branch 3 is delimited at its base, that is to say on the side of the handle 1, by a wall or lip of plastic material 30 which extends substantially perpendicular to this branch.
• the latter has a substantially tubular shape but is open on the side of the branch 4.
• the cross section of the branch 3 has the shape of a "U" yoke whose wings 31 are directed towards the branch 4. Between the wings 31 and substantially perpendicular to them is fixed a small rod 32 of axis XX 'forming an axis of rotation for a tubular finger 5 of plastic. Of course, this finger has a diameter suitable for being able to pivot around the axis XX 'without being hindered by the wings 31.
• the finger 5 has a "V" cutout with a rounded tip 500, the tip being directed towards the free end of the branch 3.
• the angular movement of the finger 5 is limited by the wall of the branch 3, in its part forming the base of the "U".
• the finger 5 is permanently fixed to the body of the fork.
• the device is moved in the direction of the bar 9 in the direction of the arrow, as shown in FIG. 5.
• This operation causes the erasure of the finger 5 which returns to its initial position shown in FIG. 4, to allow the introduction of the bar 9 inside the space E.
• the position shown in FIG. 6 is then reached.
• finger 5 can be provided on finger 5, at its articulation on branch 3, two identical slots which extend parallel to the major axis of the finger and which allow, during its pivoting maneuver out of space, a certain displacement of the finger towards the branch 3, which facilitates its release.
• the cutout provided in the finger 5 can be replaced by two small elastic tabs between which the rope is trapped.
• the branch 3 can be formed from two flat and parallel tongues forming a yoke in which the finger 5 is articulated. It can also be formed from a single tongue on the edges of which the finger is articulated.
• the point 8 forming the hook of the device makes it possible to use it as a traction hook, to allow a temporary attachment of a boat, for example to bring it closer to a boat from a quay. Due to the simplicity of use of the device of the invention, it can be operated with one hand, which is practical when one is on a boat.

Landscapes

• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
• Emergency Lowering Means (AREA)
• Ropes Or Cables (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=9400819

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (4)

Families Citing this family (7)

Family Cites Families (4)

• 1990
  • 1990-09-27 FR FR9012087A patent/FR2667291B1/fr not_active Expired - Lifetime
• 1991
  • 1991-09-26 EP EP19910917725 patent/EP0550623A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 1991-09-26 WO PCT/FR1991/000750 patent/WO1992005996A1/fr not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 1991-09-26 CA CA 2092800 patent/CA2092800A1/fr not_active Abandoned

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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