Boat dock mooring system

Abstract

A boat mooring system utilizing a cylinder having an internal spring-like mechanism that allows a retaining rope to lengthen or shorten automatically to adjust for rising tide or high wind to retain a boat at a safe distance from a dock or pier.

Claims

1. A boat dock mooring system comprising an apparatus wherein the apparatus comprises: a pipe having a boat cleat end and a dock cleat end; a dock line having a first and second end; a pair of pipe caps on the ends of the pipe, each of the pair of caps having a through hole; a spring mechanism having a pair fasteners at opposite ends, the spring mechanism being housed inside the pipe and a dock line attached to each fastener between the first and second ends of the dock line; wherein the first end exits the pipe at the boat cleat end and the second end exists the pipe at the dock cleat end with the dock line passing through each through hole in each pipe cap; and wherein the dock line and a solid rubber bungee together constitute the spring mechanism in which the dock line is wrapped around the solid rubber bungee in a spiral fashion.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the spring mechanism comprises a solid rubber bungee having eyelets on both ends the eyelets being the dock line fasteners on the spring mechanism.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the dock line is wrapped in a spiral fashion around the spring mechanism between the eyelets at each end of the spring mechanism.

4. A method for mooring a boat comprises attaching one end of at least one of the apparatuses of claim 1 to a boat cleat; pulling the dock line snuggly to reduce slack in the spring mechanism; and then attaching the opposite end to a dock cleat or piling; wherein the dock line and a solid rubber bungee together constitute the spring mechanism in which the dock line is wrapped around the solid rubber bungee in a spiral fashion.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) These and/or other aspects will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic of the boat dock mooring system depicting the spring-like mechanism inside the solid tube.

(3) FIG. 2 is a depiction of use of the boat dock mooring system of FIG. 1 in a capital Lambda shaped configuration.

(4) FIG. 3 is a depiction of use of the boat dock mooring system of FIG. 1 in a capital Mu shaped configuration.

(5) FIG. 4 is a depiction of use of the boat dock mooring system of FIG. 1 in an alternate Lambda shaped configuration.

(6) FIG. 5 is a drawing of the boat dock mooring device having one end attached to a secure point on a pier and the opposite end attached to a boat.

(7) FIG. 6 is a drawing of the spring-like mechanism removed from the pipe.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(8) Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In this regard, the present embodiments may have different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the descriptions set forth herein. Accordingly, the embodiments are merely described below, by referring to the figures, to explain aspects of the present invention.

(9) As shown in FIG. 1, the present boat dock mooring system is an apparatus comprising a pipe or tube 100; a solid rubber bungee 204; dock line 202; and fasteners 102 on either end of the pipe or tube. The dock line is wrapped around the solid rubber bungee in a spiral fashion. Both the dock line and the solid rubber bungee together constitute a spring-like mechanism 200. The entire spring-like mechanism is housed inside the pipe or tube 100.

(10) Also, as shown in FIG. 6, the rubber bungee 204 may comprise eyelets on either end through which the dock line may be threaded on one end as the dock line is wrapped around the bungee and as the line exits the bungee. This configuration provides the spring-like mechanism necessary for retaining the boat a safe distance from the dock or pier. The eyelets may be constructed of any suitable material for marine and stress applications.

(11) In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the pipe or tube comprises end caps 104 fitted on both ends. The end caps may be constructed of any suitable material including, but not limited to, rubber, pvc, plastic, or stainless steel. The end caps may further be covered in leather or other suitable material to protect the boat from damage due to incidental contact with the boat dock mooring system.

(12) In another embodiment, the boat dock mooring system comprises fasteners 102 on the ends of the spring-like mechanism. These fasteners 102 may be any suitable fastener or shackle that will permit attachment of a suitable dock line to the spring-like mechanism.

(13) The pipe or tube 100 of the boat dock mooring system may be any suitable pipe or tube constructed of any suitable material for marine applications. The length of the pipe or tube is customizable to the size of the boat and the characteristics of the dock or pier cleat or piling. It is envisaged that the pipe or tube diameter and length will be sufficient to maintain a boat a safe distance from the dock or pier during various tide, wide or wake conditions.

(14) The solid rubber bungee 204 of the boat dock mooring system may be any suitable elasticized rubber cord compatible with marine applications. It is envisaged that the solid rubber bungee 204 may be of a length and thickness sufficient to fit inside the pipe or tube 100 along with the dock line 202 wrapped in a spiral fashion along its length.

(15) A method for mooring a boat using the present boat dock mooring system comprises attaching one end of the apparatus to a boat cleat, and then attaching the opposite end to a dock cleat or piling. Prior to attaching the apparatus to the dock, the dock line is pulled snuggly reducing any slack in the spring-like mechanism. Once all the slack has been removed, one last tug is used to stretch the internal mechanism slightly. Once the internal mechanism is engaged, the dock line is then attached to the dock cleat or wrapped around the piling.

(16) It is envisaged that for optimum performance two apparatuses should be utilized simultaneously, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. In one embodiment, A single apparatus would be attached toward the bow and another apparatus toward the stern, while using two additional lines creating a functional system keeping the boat a safe distance from the dock in rising tides and sustained winds.

(17) The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. It is understood that many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.