Cam cleat

Abstract

The instant invention is a cam cleat assembly that includes a base member, two removably mounted spindle pins and two rotationally mounted cam members having teeth for gripping rope, sails, twine cord or the like. The base plate includes a smooth transitioning ramp surface that allows for increased angular interaction with a rope or line member. The base plate also includes a pair of pockets sized to cooperate with the removable spindles for alignment and a more secure placement under heavy loads to minimize deflection of the spindles and thus the cam members. Removable and replaceable spindle pins are provided to allow easy replacement for extended life of the device. Seals are provided around the fasteners to allow quick and accurate reassembly while maintaining a watertight assembly to prevent the ingress of salt and/or water into the assembly from the mounting surface.

Claims

1. A cam cleat comprising: a base plate, said base plate including a top surface and a bottom surface said base plate including a pair of pockets sized to cooperate with a pair of spindle members for alignment, a spindle bolt aperture extending through each said pocket, said spindle bolt aperture sized and positioned so that a fastener may be extended upwardly through said base plate and into said spindle member; said pair of spindle members being removably secured to said top surface of said base plate in a spaced apart arrangement, said pair of spindle members including a top end and a bottom end, said top end being cylindrical in shape for cooperation with a bearing member, said bearing member constructed from a solid non-metallic material, said bearing member being generally round in shape having a central bore, a radial flange and a lower flange, said central bore sized to cooperate with said top end of said spindle member, said radial flange cooperating with a shoulder within a respective cam member to prevent migration of said bearing member during loads, wherein a central portion of each said spindle member includes a flange, said spindle member flange positioned to cooperate with said lower flange of said bearing member to suspend a respective said cam member at a position above said top surface of said base plate during rotation of said cam member; a pair of said cam members, each respective said cam member including an outer cam surface having a non-symmetrical lobe, an inner bore sized for cooperation with said bearing member; a pair of top nuts, said top nuts secured to a top portion of each said spindle member to prevent said cam member from moving vertically along said spindle member.

2. The cam cleat of claim 1 wherein said base plate includes a smooth transitioning ramp surface that allows for increased angular interaction with a rope or line member, said ramp surface beginning at about a center of said top surface of said base plate and extending substantially to a bottom edge of a front surface of said base plate.

3. The cam cleat of claim 1 wherein each said fastener includes a seal positioned around each said fastener.

4. The cam cleat of claim 1 wherein said base plate includes a stop pin for each respective said cam member, each respective said stop pin positioned on said base plate to cooperate with a spring member, as well as a respective said cam member, to cause said spring member to bias said cam member to a base position, each respective said stop pin also positioned to prevent over rotation of a respective said cam member by engaging an internal stop surface.

5. The cam cleat of claim 1 wherein each respective said top nut includes an oversized head portion and a stem portion, said head portion including at least one internal driving surface for securing said top nut to a respective said spindle member.

6. The cam cleat of claim 1 wherein each respective said cam member is constructed from a stacked arrangement of thin plates, said stacked arrangement of plates being secured together to function as a monolithic cam member.

7. The cam cleat of claim 6 wherein said stacked arrangement includes a base stack plate, a first stack plate, a second stack plate and a top plate.

8. The cam cleat of claim 7 wherein base stack plate is positioned at the bottom of said stacked arrangement and includes a cylindrical bore sized to cooperate with a cylindrical sleeve member to align said first stack plate, said second stack plate and said top plate.

9. The cam cleat of claim 8 wherein said base stack plate includes a second cylindrical bore sized to cooperate with pin member.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a top view of one embodiment of the cam cleat assembly of the present invention;

(2) FIG. 2 is a partially sectioned and partially exploded side view of the cam cleat assembly illustrated in FIG. 1;

(3) FIG. 3 is a partially exploded view of the cam cleat assembly illustrated in FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the instant invention with a fender line placed through the cam cleat and alignment guides;

(5) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the alignment guide;

(6) FIG. 6 is a top perspective of one embodiment of the cam member of the present invention;

(7) FIG. 7 is an exploded view illustrating the components of the cam member illustrated in FIG. 6;

(8) FIG. 8 is a top view of the embodiment of the cam member illustrated in FIG. 6; and

(9) FIG. 9 is a section view taken along lines 9-9 of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(10) Referring to FIGS. 1-9, set forth is a cam cleat assembly 10 formed from a base plate 12, a pair of spindle members 14, a pair of cam members 40 and a pair of top nuts 26. The base plate 12 includes a smooth transitioning ramp surface 15 that allows for increased angular interaction with a rope or line member. The ramp surface starts at about the center of the top surface of the base plate, and extends substantially to the bottom edge of the front of the base plate. The base plate 12 also includes a pair of pockets 16 sized to cooperate with the removable spindles 14 for alignment and a more secure placement under heavy loads to minimize deflection of the spindles and thus the cam members. The pockets 16 extend partially through the base plate 12 and include a shape that mirrors the shape of the base portion of the spindle. A spindle bolt aperture 17 extends through each pocket 16 so that a fastener 60 may be extended upwardly through the base plate and into the spindle member. Seals 18 are provided around the fasteners 60 to allow quick and accurate reassembly while maintaining a watertight assembly to prevent the ingress of salt and/or water into the assembly from the mounting surface. In addition, the seal prevents loosening of the fastener from vibration. In a most preferred embodiment, the seals are o-rings, which may be constructed from any material or combination of materials known in the art. Also included on the base plate is a stop pin 20. The stop pin cooperates with spring member 22, as well as cam member 40, to bias the cam member to its base position as illustrated in FIG. 1. The pin also prevents over rotation of the cam members by engaging internal stop surfaces 74 and 75.

(11) Still referring to the figures, the spindle members 14 include a top end 24 and a bottom end 28. When viewed from the top, the top end 24 is cylindrical in shape for cooperation with a bearing member 30, while the bottom end 28 is shaped to cooperate with the pockets 16 in the base plate 12. In a most preferred embodiment, the pocket and the bottom end of the spindle member are formed round for ease of manufacturing. However, it should be noted that the bottom end might take any suitable shape that can be formed as a pocket into the base plate. Keyed shapes and the like may prevent unwanted rotation of the spindle members under extreme loading. The bottom end of the spindle members 14 also includes an internal threaded bore 32, which cooperates with fastener 60 to retain the spindle members 14 in the pockets 16. The top end 24 of the spindle member 14 may include a threaded stem 34 or internal threaded bore 32 for cooperation with a top nut 36. In either embodiment, the top nut includes the conjugate threading surface for cooperation with the spindle 14. A central portion of the spindle member includes a flange 38, which cooperates with the bearing member 30, the spindle 14 and the top nut 36 to prevent the cam member 40 from moving vertically along the spindle member 14. In a most preferred embodiment, the cam member is suspended slightly above the top surface of the base plate to prevent friction between the two members during operation. This construction reduces the pressure required to operate the device, and allows for slight deflection of the pins without galling under heavy loading.

(12) The top nut 36 includes an oversized head portion 42 and a stem portion 44. In one particular embodiment, the head portion 42 includes two holes or snake eyes 46 located in a spaced apart relationship for engagement with a twin pin driver. The snake eye construction reduces line abrasion and provides a reduction in surface protuberances, allowing the cam cleat assembly to have a low smooth profile. In an alternative embodiment, the head portion 42 may include an alternative internal driving mechanism such as, but not limited to, hex, torx or Phillips. In a most preferred embodiment, the head portion 42 fits into a counterbore 48 to lower the profile of the assembly and reduce edges and surfaces that may cut or chafe ropes or hands.

(13) Still referring to the figures, the cam members 40 include an innerbore 52 and an outer cam surface 53 having a non-symmetrical lobe 54. The inner bore is sized to cooperate with a solid bearing member 30, and preferably includes a shoulder 56 for cooperation with bearing flange 58 to prevent the bearing from shifting with the cam member. Teeth 62 are provided on the outer surface 53 of the cam member 40 to engage the rope member. The teeth preferably extend about 90 degrees around the cam surface from the highest point of the cam lobe to the lowest surface of the cam member with respect to the spindle member. This construction provides for the most versatility with respect to the diameter of rope or cloth that can be effectively engaged. The cam bearing is preferably a one-piece bearing constructed from a non-metallic material such as DELRIN. The non-metallic material provides the most corrosion resistance while having sufficient rigidity to resist elastic deformation under load. Various other types of bearing materials can be substituted including acetron, ertalyte, turcite, ruton, or UHMW without departing from the scope of the present invention. The bearing 30 is generally round in shape having a central bore 72, a radial flange 58 and a lower flange 68. The central bore 72 is generally sized to cooperate with the top end 24 of the spindle member 14. Radial flange 58 cooperates with shoulder 56 within the cam member to prevent migration of the bearing member during loads. The radial flange also serves to prevent the cam member from moving downward toward the base plate under load. Lower flange 68 cooperates with the spindle flange 38 to maintain spacing between the cam member and the base plate to prevent friction and galling. The bearing top surface 70 cooperates with the head portion 42 of the top nut. In this manner, the cam member is provided with a bearing surface in any direction of loading.

(14) In the preferred embodiment, the base plate 12, spindle members 14, and cam members 40 are constructed from highly polished stainless steel for corrosion resistance and superior bright work appearance. However, it should be noted that various materials could be substituted for the stainless steel without departing from the scope of the invention. Such materials may include, but should not be limited to, anodized aluminum, coated steel, plastics and the like.

(15) In some embodiments, the cam cleat assembly 10 may be attached to a fender hook 80 without the need for unsightly top fasteners. In other embodiments, the cam cleat assembly 10 may be attached directly to boats, ships, sailboats and docks to name a few. In further embodiments, the cam cleat assembly 10 may be used in conjunction with flagpoles, tight rope walking, rock climbing, ski boots, bindings, and pulley systems.

(16) Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the fender hook 80 has an inner surface 82, which is cushioned, preferably with a non-marring material such as foam rubber or, most preferably, lamb's wool. The fender hook is preferably rigid having an infrastructure formed of non-rusting stainless steel formed into a substantially L or U-shape configuration and encapsulated within a sleeve made of rubber, vinyl, leather or the like; the non-marring material adding a further layer of protection against marring. The fender hook 80 allows positioning over a gunnel of a boat. The cam cleat assembly 10 is positioned along the upper portion of the fender hook 80 for engaging of a fender line 100 and directional positioning of the fender 102. Alignment guides 90 are formed from a plate 96 having a substantially circular shaped ring welded to the plate with each end 92, 94 spaced apart for ease of line inserting. The alignment guides 90 are placed along a corner edge and a lower surface for maintaining the line 100 to prevent disengagement from the cam cleat assembly 10 and marring of the covering (leather, vinyl, etc.).

(17) In operation, the fender hook 80 is placed over the gunnel of the boat in a position that is most appropriate for fending off the boat. The fender 102 is then placed alongside the boat hull with fender line 100 placed through the cam cleat. The line 100 is then drawn through the cam cleat until the fender is placed at its desired position. Once in position, line 100 is placed between the open ends 92, 94 of each alignment guide 90, maintaining the line 100 in a position so that the line cannot disengage from the cam members. Removal of the fender 102 simply requires the removal of the line 100 from each alignment guide 90 and outwardly from the top of the cam cleat assembly 10.

(18) Referring to FIGS. 6-9, an alternative embodiment of the cam member is illustrated. In this embodiment, the cam member 40 is constructed from a stacked arrangement of relatively thin plates 76-82. The stacked arrangement of plates 76-82 is secured together in a manner to function and appear as a monolithic cam member 40 such as the one described above. Constructing the cam member from the stacked plates provides several advantages over the monolithic construction of the prior art by reducing cost of construction while producing a stronger final cam member. Prior art constructions typically utilize sand casting for the monolithic cams. The stacked construction allows the use of more modern manufacturing techniques such as laser cutting, water jet cutting and wire electrical discharge machining. These techniques provide components that are much closer to the finished shape while allowing the use of metals that include better metallurgical properties. Casting often results in inferior grain structure within the metal, causing brittleness and thus catastrophic failure of the final cam member. The present teaching allows the use of stainless steel plate or sheet material. Plate and sheet material have been hot or cold rolled, causing work hardening and specifically oriented grain structure within the material for added strength and corrosion resistance. In addition, plate materials often include additives that improve machinability and weldability of the components used to construct the cam member.

(19) Still referring to FIGS. 6-9, the preferred embodiment of the stacked cam member includes a base plate 76, a first stack plate 78, a second stack plate 80 and a top plate 82. The base plate 76 is positioned at the bottom of the stack and includes a cylindrical bore 84 sized to cooperate with a cylindrical sleeve member 86 to align the stack of plates 76, 78, 80, and 82. The base plate 76 also includes a second cylindrical bore 88 sized to cooperate with pin member 90. In this manner, the area between the cylindrical bore 84 and cylindrical bore 88 can be removed for weight savings. The removed area also functions to cooperate with the stop pin 20 to control the swing distance that the cam member is allowed to travel through. Also included in the removed area is the spring pocket 92. The spring pocket 92 is positioned to cooperate with the spring 22 and the stop pin 20 to bias the cam member 40 to the closed position as illustrated in FIG. 2. The perimeter of the base plate 76 includes teeth 62 along the lobe surface 54 which are positioned to align with teeth on the next adjacent plate member.

(20) The first stack plate 78 is positioned adjacent to the base plate 76 and the second stack plate 80, and includes a cylindrical bore 84 sized to cooperate with a cylindrical sleeve member 86 to align the stack of plates 76, 78, 80, and 82. The base plate also includes a second cylindrical bore 88 sized to cooperate with pin member 90. In this manner, the area between the cylindrical bore 84 and cylindrical bore 88 can be removed for weight savings. The second stack plate 80 is positioned adjacent to the first stack plate 78 and the top plate 82, and includes a cylindrical bore 84 sized to cooperate with a cylindrical sleeve member 86 to align the stack of plates 76, 78, 80, and 82. The base plate also includes a second cylindrical bore 88 sized to cooperate with pin member 90. In this manner, the area between the cylindrical bore 84 and cylindrical bore 88 can be removed for weight savings. The top plate 82 is positioned adjacent to the second stack plate 80 and includes a cylindrical bore 84 sized to cooperate with a cylindrical sleeve member 86 to align the stack of plates 76, 78, 80, and 82. The base plate also includes a second blind cylindrical bore 89 (FIG. 9) sized to cooperate with pin member 90. In operation, the plates 76, 78, 80, and 82 are aligned in a stacked arrangement, the sleeve 86 and pin 90 are positioned in their respective bores and welded 94 into place, thereby securing the assembly together. In an alternative embodiment, the sleeve 86 and pin 90 may be pressed or shrink-fit into place with an interference fit to secure the assembly together. It should be appreciated that the pin 90 and sleeve 86 prevent any single plate from movement with respect to the others in operation. It should also be appreciated that this construction of material, having superior grain structure, allows lighter part construction having the same strength and size of prior art cams, or allows a much more robust structure having the same size and weight providing a substantial advantage over known constructions.

(21) One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The embodiments, methods, procedures and techniques described herein are presently representative of the preferred embodiments, are intended to be exemplary and are not intended as limitations on the scope. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and are defined by the scope of the appended claims. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention, which are obvious to those skilled in the art, are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.