Variable-rate spring marine docking cable

Abstract

The variable-rate spring marine docking cable is a device for allaying the shock forces on moored floating structures due to wind, wakes, tides and storms. The device includes a variable-rate spring member similar to an automobile strut. Respective cables are attached at first ends to each respective end of the spring member. One of the cables is attached at its second end to a floating structure such as a dock or boat. The other cable is attached at its second end to a mooring pile, pier, or other fixed object.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/213,823, filed Jul. 20, 2009.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to tethers and to marine ropes and cables, and particularly to a marine docking cable that includes a shock-absorbing device for dampening bi-directional forces that are produced by water movement and the like on docks.

2. Description of the Related Art

The growth of costal and lakeside communities has greatly increased interest and participation in water sports (swimming, fishing, water skiing, etc.). The increased activity in such sports has required the building of moored docks in the waters adjacent the shorelines of lakes and streams. Unfortunately, wind, wakes, tides and storms result in dock movement, which movement can produce shocks that cause damage to the ramps, tie sections, etc. of the dock. Repairing the damage requires the expenditure of time and money. If not repaired, the damaged dock can cause minor or severe injury. A device that could efficiently and effectively allay the shock forces on the dock, due to the conditions indicated above, would greatly reduce the incidence of damage, thereby reducing the cost of upkeep and the chances for injury. Thus, a variable-rate, spring marine docking device solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The variable-rate, spring marine docking cable is a device that comprises a coiled spring member similar to an automobile strut. In a first embodiment, a plate is attached to each end of the spring. Each plate is provided with an opening therethrough. A pair of parallel tubes is disposed within and extends along the length of the spring member. Each tube has an end that extends through the openings in the plates, the tubes extending through opposing plates. The other end of each tube is attached to the inner surface the opposing plate. A respective cable extends through the interior of each tube. One end of each cable is formed as a loop. A clamp(s) is provided at the other end of each cable. The clamp(s) serves as a stop to prevent the cable from being pulled through the plate. One cable loop is attached to the boat, floating dock, or other floating structure, and the opposite cable loop is attached to a mooring pile, pier, or other fixed object. In a second embodiment, a pair of round bars, each of which is bent in substantially a U-shape, replaces the tubes and cables within the coiled spring member. The mooring and docking cables are attached to the respective bars. The above-described arrangements prevent the cables from tightening too quickly when the forces produce sudden dock movement. The cable spring is designed to keep both sides of the cable at the same tension so that the dock is not allowed to sway from side to side.

Accordingly, the invention presents a device for attenuating the forces produced on a moored dock, which forces are generated by the effects of water movement, storms, wind and the like. The device is constructed of rugged material and is easy to use. Although indicated for use on docks, the device could also be applied to other floating structures such as piers, boats, buoys, etc. The invention provides for improved elements thereof in an arrangement for the purposes described that are inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing their intended purposes.

These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a first embodiment of a variable-rate spring marine docking cable according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a variable-rate spring marine docking cable according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an end view of a first embodiment of a variable-rate spring marine docking cable according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a partial side view in section of a first embodiment of a variable-rate spring marine docking cable according to the present invention, showing the cables extending through the tubes.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a variable-rate, spring marine docking cable according to the present invention.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, the variable-rate spring marine docking cable, generally indicated at 10, is shown attached at a proximate end to a floating dock 12. The distal end of the device is attached to an end of a mooring line 14. The other end of mooring line 14 is fastened to a conventional turnbuckle device 15 and mooring post 16.

As best seen in FIGS. 2-4, a first embodiment of the marine docking cable 10 comprises a variable-rate spring member 20 (e.g., a helical compression spring), which is similar to an automobile strut. Plates 22 and 24 are respectively attached at the opposite ends of variable-rate spring member 20. Each plate has an opening 22a, 24a formed therethrough. Tubes 26 and 28 are positioned within the coils of spring member 20 and extend along the length thereof. Tube 26 has a first end 26a that extends through the opening 22a in plate 22. The other end 26b of tube 26 is attached to the inner surface of plate 24, and defines a second opening through plate 24. Conversely, tube 28 has a first end 28a that extends through opening 24a in plate 24. The other end 28b of tube 28 is attached to the inner surface of plate 22, and defines a second opening in plate 22. Welds are preferred to effect the attachment of the tube ends and spring coils to the plates. It is recognized, however that other means of attachment may be employed if deemed suitable. A pair of docking cables 30, 32, or other elongated, flexible members, extends through each tube 26 and 28. Clamps 34 are employed to form respective loops 30a and 32a in one end of each cable. The clamps 34 are disposed at the ends 30b, 32b of each cable opposite the loop to prevent the cables 30, 32 from sliding through the tubes 26, 28 and the corresponding plate 22, 24. Protective thimbles 36 are positioned on the ends of each cable 30, 32 to prevent the cable 30, 32 from crimping and fraying.

In use, the looped end of one cable is attached to the dock or other floating or movable object or structure. The other looped end is attached to a mooring cable, which is attached to a fixed object or structure. The mooring cable is tightened so that the marine docking cable 10 is positioned out of the water. This arrangement alleviates the incidence of rusting and prolongs the life of the device. Bi-directional forces on the dock caused by the above-stated factors will cause the device to compress and decompress, thereby absorbing any sudden shock that would be transmitted to the dock and preventing damage thereto. The progressive or variable-rate spring changes resistance as it compresses and becomes progressively stiffer as the load increases. The spring 20 compresses and decompresses, acting as a brake, taking the shock out of the cable 10 as it tightens quickly due to windstorms or high waves. The device is designed to keep each cable end at the same tension and not allow the dock or other floating or movable object or structure to sway side to side. As contemplated, the cable 10 will be packaged as a kit to include the above-described spring structure and turnbuckle.

As shown in FIG. 5, a second embodiment of the variable-rate spring marine docking cable employs a pair of round bars 42, 44 disposed within variable spring 20. Bars 42, 44 are bent in U-shaped configurations, having respective free ends 42a, 44a formed as hooks. The bight or base 42b of one bar 42 extends slightly beyond one end of the spring 20, while the bight or base 44b of the other bar 44 extends slightly beyond the other end of spring 20, the bights being orthogonal to each other so that the bight of one bar extends through the open mouth or throat of the other bar. Respective free ends 42a, 44a are attached to opposite ends of spring 20 (preferably by welds). The mooring lines are attached to the device at the respective bases 42b, 44b employing thimbles 36 and turnbuckles 15 as needed.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A variable-rate spring marine docking cable, comprising:

a variable-rate compression spring member having a proximate end, a distal end, an axial length, and helical coils;

a two-part cable having a first part extending from the proximate end of the spring and a second part extending from the distal end of the spring;

means for compressing the coil when a tensile force is applied to at least one part of the two-part cable, the means for compressing extending through the helical coils.

2. The variable-rate spring marine docking cable according to claim 1, wherein said compression spring member is a helical spring member.

3. The variable-rate spring marine docking cable according to claim 1, wherein said means for compressing comprises;

a first plate and a second plate, each of the plates having an inner surface, an outer surface, and a pair of openings defined therein, the first plate being attached to the proximate end of the spring member and the second plate being attached to the distal end of the spring member;

a first tube having a first end and a second end, the first end of the first tube being attached to the first plate and defining one of the openings in the first plate, the second end of the first tube extending through one of the openings in the second plate, the first part of the cable extending through the first tube;

a second tube having a first end and a second end, the first end of the second tube being attached to the second plate and defining one of the openings in the second plate, the second end of the second tube extending through one of the openings in the first plate, the first and second tubes being parallel to each other and extending coaxially through the helical coils, the second part of the cable extending through the second tube; and

a first stop member attached to the first part of the cable at the distal end of the spring and a second stop member attached to the second part of the cable at the proximate end of the spring, the stop members bearing against the corresponding plate to compress the end of the spring when the tensile force is applied to the corresponding part of the cable.

4. The variable-rate spring marine docking cable according to claim 3, wherein said the first and second parts of said two-part cable comprise docking cables.

5. A variable-rate spring marine docking cable according to claim 1, wherein said means for compressing comprises a pair of round, metallic bars disposed extending through the helical coils, each of the metallic bars being U-shaped and having a base end and free ends, the free ends being formed into hooks engaging the corresponding end of said spring.

6. The variable-rate spring marine docking cable according to claim 5, wherein the first and second parts of said two-part cable are attached to the base end of a corresponding one of the U-shaped bars.

7. A variable-rate spring marine docking cable, comprising:

a variable rate, helical compression spring member having a proximate end, a distal end, an axial length, and helical coils defining an inner volume;

a first plate and a second plate, each of the plates having an inner surface, an outer surface, and a pair of openings defined therein, the first plate being attached to the proximate end of the spring member and the second plate being attached to the distal end of the spring member;

a first tube having a first end and a second end, the first end of the first tube being attached to the first plate and defining one of the openings in the first plate, the second end of the first tube extending through one of the openings in the second plate;

a second tube having a first end and a second end, the first end of the second tube being attached to the second plate and defining one of the openings in the second plate, the second end of the second tube extending through one of the openings in the first plate, the first and second tubes being parallel to each other and extending coaxially through said volume;

a first docking cable extending through the first tube; and

a second docking cable extending through the second tube.

8. The variable-rate spring marine docking cable according to claim 7, further including a pair of stop members disposed on said docking cables on opposite ends of said spring.

9. The variable-rate spring marine docking cable according to claim 8, wherein the first end of said first tube is attached to the inner surface of the first plate and wherein the first end of said second tube is attached to the inner surface of said second plate.

10. A variable-rate spring marine docking cable, comprising:

a variable rate, helical compression spring member, the spring member having a proximate end, a distal end, an axial length and helical coils defining an inner volume;

first and second round, metallic bars disposed in the inner volume, each of the metallic bars being U-shaped and having a base end and free ends, the free ends forming hooks engaging the corresponding end of the spring member; and

cables extending from the base ends of the bars.

11. The variable-rate spring marine docking cable according to claim 10, wherein the base of said first metallic bar extends slightly beyond the proximate end of said spring member and the free ends of said first metallic bar are hooked onto the distal end of said spring member.

12. The variable-rate spring marine docking cable according to claim 10, wherein the base of said second metallic bar extends slightly beyond the distal end of said spring member and the free ends of said first metallic bar are hooked onto the proximate end of said spring member.

13. The variable-rate spring marine docking cable according to claim 10, wherein the base of said first metallic bar extends slightly beyond the proximate end of said spring member and the free ends of said first metallic bar are hooked onto the distal end of said spring member and wherein the base of said second metallic bar extends slightly beyond the distal end of said spring member and the free ends of said first metallic bar are hooked onto the proximate end of said spring member.