Floating object attachment system

Abstract

A floating object attachment system for attaching one end of a rope or cable attached at its opposite end to a submerged anchor. The attachment system includes a rigid support pole attached to a mounting plate attached to the bottom surface of a floating object. Attached to the support pole is a swivel arm adapted to rotate freely 360 degrees around the support pole. A plurality of radially aligned gussets hold the support arm perpendicular to the mounting plate. The swivel arm includes a horizontal flange with a center bore that receives the support pole and a lateral, downward extending diagonal arm with a grommet hole that connects to the rope or cable. The support pole includes a lower stop surface and an upper stop surface on the support pole. Disposed around the support pole and between the horizontal flange and the upper and lower stop surfaces are nylon washers.

Claims

1. A floating object attachment system for attaching a floating object to a submerged anchor, comprising a. a support pole includes a distal end, a proximal end, a lower stop surface and an upper stop surface spaced apart to form a rotation section; b. a swivel arm that includes a horizontal flange and a diagonal flange, formed on said horizontal flange is a center bore adapted to receive said rotation section on said support pole and allows said swivel arm to rotate 360 degrees in said rotation section on said support pole, said diagonal flange extending downward from said support pole when said support pole is attached to a bottom surface of said floating object, said diagonal flange includes a main hole; c. at least one nylon washer disposed on said support pole between said horizontal flange and said lower stop surface; d. at least one nylon washer disposed on said support pole and between said horizontal flange and said upper stop surface; and e. a plurality of connectors for connecting said mounting bracket to said bottom surface of a said floating object.

2. The floating object attachment system, as recited in claim 1, further including a grommet inserted into said main hole formed on said diagonal flange.

3. The floating object attachment system, as recited in claim 1, wherein said support pole and said swivel arm are made of galvanized steel or stainless steel.

4. A floating dock or raft, comprising; a. a floating dock or raft with a flat bottom surface; b. a support pole includes lower stop surface and an upper stop surface spaced apart to form a rotation section; c. a swivel arm that includes a horizontal flange and a diagonal flange, formed on said horizontal flange is a center bore adapted to receive said rotation section on said support pole and allows said swivel arm to rotate 360 degrees in said rotation section on said support pole, said diagonal flange extending downward from said support pole when said support pole is attached to a bottom surface of said floating object, said diagonal flange includes a main hole; d. at least one nylon washer disposed inside said rotation section and between said horizontal flange and said lower stop surface; e. at least one nylon washer disposed on said support pole and inside said rotation section and between said horizontal flange and said upper stop surface; f. a mounting plate attached to said flat bottom surface on said floating dock or raft, said mounting plate being perpendicularly aligned and attached to one end of said support pole enabling said support pole to extend downward into a body of water under said floating dock or raft; and g. a plurality of connectors for connecting said mounting plate to said flat bottom surface of said floating dock or raft.

5. The floating dock or raft, as recited in claim 4, further including a grommet inserted into said main hole formed on said diagonal flange.

6. The floating dock or raft, as recited in claim 4, wherein said support pole and said swivel arm are made of galvanized steel or stainless steel.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is an illustration of the floating object attachment system described herein mounted on the bottom surface of a floating object, such as a dock or raft.

(2) FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the attachment system.

(3) FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the attachment system shown in FIG. 2.

(4) FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the attachment system.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

(5) Referring to the FIGS. 1-4, there is shown an improved floating object attachment system 10 for attaching one end of an anchor rope or cable 90 to a submerged anchor 100. The attachment system 10 includes a mounting plate 26 with a perpendicularly aligned support pole 24 attached thereto. Attached to the support pole 24 is a free rotating swivel arm 46.

(6) The mounting plate 22 is a rigid plate structure made of metal configured to attached to a flat bottom surface 82 of a floating object 80. The mounting plate 22 includes a plurality of holes 28 that received suitable connectors 30 used to securely attach the mounting plate 26 to the bottom surface 82 of the floating object 80.

(7) The support pole 24 is a solid or hollow pipe affixed to the mounting plate 26 and aligned with the plate's center axis 27. A plurality of radially aligned gussets 32 are attached to the mounting plate 22 and to the support pole 24. The gussets 32 hold the support arm 24 perpendicularly aligned with the mounting plate 22.

(8) The swivel arm 40 includes a horizontal flange 42 with a center bore 44 adapted to receive the support pole 24. The horizontal flange 42 is perpendicularly aligned with the support pole's longitudinal axis. The swivel arm 40 also includes a diagonal flange 46 that extends downward. Formed near the distal end of the diagonal flange 46 is a main hole 50. Inserted into the main hole 50 formed on the diagonal arm 46 is a grommet 48 with curved or beveled edges that reduce abrasions to the rope or cable 90.

(9) The support pole 24 includes a lower stop surface 26 and an upper stop surface 60. The lower stop surface 26 and upper stop surface 60 are spaced apart to form a rotation section 41 for the swivel arm 40 to rotate on the support pole 24. When assembled, the horizontal flange 42 is positioned between the lower and upper stop surfaces 26, 60 so that the rotation section 41 of the support pole 24 extends through the center bore 44 and the diagonal flange 46 points downward. Disposed around the support pole 24 and between the horizontal flange 42 and the lower and upper stop surfaces 26, 60 are at least one nylon washer 32, 53. In the embodiment shown herein, there are two pairs of nylon washers, 32, 32, and 53, 53 respectively.

(10) Inserted into the main hole 50 formed on the diagonal flange 46 is a grommet 48 with curved or beveled edges that reduce abrasions to the rope or cable 90.

(11) In the embodiment shown herein, the support pole 24 is approximately 2 inches in diameter and 9 inches in length. The swivel arm 40 is a plate structure approximately 3 inches in width and 6 inches in length. The horizontal flange 42 is approximately 3 inches in length. The diagonal flange 46 is disposed at a 45 degrees angle from the horizontal flange 42. The center bore 44 formed in the horizontal flange 46 is approximate 2 inches in diameter. The main hole 50 is approximately 2 inches in diameter. The stop surfaces 26, 60 are circular plates approximately 3 inches in diameter. In the embodiment shown, the stop surfaces 26, 60 are made of metal and welded to the support pole 24. In should be understood the stop surfaces 26, 60 could be pegs or bolts, that extend laterally from the support pole 24 and permanently or selectively affixed to the support pole 24. The nylon washers 32, 32, 53, 53 are approximately 3 inches in diameter and inch thick. The support pole 24, the swivel arm 40, the stop surfaces 26, 60 are made of stainless steel or galvanized steel.

(12) In compliance with the statute, the invention described has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features. It should be understood however, that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, since the means and construction shown, comprises the preferred embodiments for putting the invention into effect. The invention is therefore claimed in its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the amended claims, appropriately interpreted under the doctrine of equivalents.