FREEDOM CLEAT

Abstract

The Freedom Cleat is a movable surface grip for moving an attached apparatus anywhere on a watercraft. The surface grip of the Freedom Cleat can be moved anywhere on the watercraft, allowing for a cleat in any place. The surface grip attaches to a D-Ring, which is used to attach a connecting device. At the end of a connecting device and on the opposite end as the D-Ring is a carabiner. Attached to the carabiner is some attached apparatus A cleating mechanism attached to the surface grip can be used to raise or lower the attached apparatus.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The Freedom Cleat was designed to help fix the trouble of docking and the minimal amount of boat cleats located on the watercraft. It gives boaters the accessibility to place fenders wherever they are in need of one, allowing them to avoid oncoming collisions quickly and easily.

The surface grip (102) which can attach to the connecting device (112) has the ability to move the given apparatus to any location around the watercraft to help prevent damage and make docking easier. The cleating mechanism (118) attached to the surface grip can be used to raise or lower the attached apparatus. The Velcro® securable loop (108) can hold an attached apparatus (110) that is needed and can be placed to ensure safety and easier access to watercraft necessities including life throws and life vests. It can also be used to dry out wet dock lines that normally are difficult to dry out and can often become covered with mold.

Currently, the user most often uses the boat cleats bolted on to the watercraft, but these cleats are fixed and make docking difficult when in a tight situation. The Freedom Cleat allows the user to place a cleat with attached apparatus (in this case a boat fender) anywhere on the watercraft for easy access and hassle-free docking.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The Freedom Cleat is under the category of watercraft utility. There are fixed cleats located around the watercraft for assisting with docking; the Freedom Cleat is transportable and can be placed in any needed location on the watercraft.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The Freedom Cleat is a movable surface grip (102) for moving an attached apparatus (110) anywhere on a watercraft. The surface grip (102) of the Freedom Cleat can be moved anywhere on the watercraft, allowing for a cleat in any place. The surface grip (102) attaches to a D-Ring (104), which is used to attach a connecting device (112). At the end of a connecting device (112) and on the opposite end as the D-Ring (104) is a carabiner (106), which has protective padding (116) on it to prevent corrosion) and damage to the watercraft. Attached to the carabiner (106) is an attached apparatus (110). A cleating mechanism (118) attached to the surface grip (102) can be used to raise or lower the attached apparatus (110).

The surface grip (102) is portable and may be attached to a connecting device (112) such as a line holder that holds an attached apparatus (110). Alternatively, the apparatus (110) may be attached directly to the surface grip (102). The surface grip (102) of the Freedom Cleat (100) can be moved anywhere on the watercraft, allowing for a cleat in any place. The surface grip (102) attaches to a D-Ring (104). Attached to the D-Ring (104) is a carabiner (106), which hooks onto a Velcro® securable loop (108). This Velcro® securable loop (108) can be used to hold anything that the user may need including, but not limited to, dock lines, life throws, and life vests.

The Freedom Cleat can also be used as a portable surface grip (102) that attaches to a fender and is used as a cleat for securing a fender to prevent collisions between the user's watercraft and another watercraft and/or the user's watercraft and some other obstruction. The surface grip (102) can be moved to any location on the watercraft and snapped into place with the red handle (100). The attached apparatus (110), a fender in this case, is then used to block the oncoming obstruction. After use is complete, the user can remove the surface grip (102) by lifting the red handle (100) and releasing the suction of the movable surface grip (102).

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

The invention comprises a portable surface grip (102) for moving an attached apparatus (110) anywhere on a watercraft comprising: a surface grip (102); a D-ring (104) attached to the surface grip (102) at one end; and a connecting device (112) attached to the D-ring (104) at an opposite end; the connecting device (112) further comprising a knot stopper (114) at the D-ring (104) end for preventing loosening of the connection between the connecting device (112) and the carabiner (106);

a carabiner (106) attached to the connecting device (112) opposite the D-ring (104); and an apparatus (110) attached to the carabiner (106); wherein the surface grip (102) is portable and may be secured anywhere on a watercraft allowing for cleating an apparatus (110) any place about a watercraft.

A second preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a portable surface grip (102) attached to a line holder that holds an attached apparatus (110); the surface grip (102) of the Freedom Cleat can be moved anywhere on the watercraft, allowing for a cleat in any place; the surface grip (102) attaches to a D-Ring (104), which is used to attach some connecting device (112); attached to the D-Ring (104) is a carabiner (106), which hooks onto a securable loop (108); this securable loop (108) can be used to hold anything that the user may need including, but not limited to, dock lines, life throws, and life vests.

A third preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a portable surface grip (102) that attaches to a fender and is used as a cleat for securing a fender to prevent collisions between the user's watercraft and another watercraft and/or the user's watercraft and some other obstruction the surface grip (102) can be moved to any location on the watercraft and snapped into place with the red handle (100); the attached apparatus (110), a fender in this case, is then used to block the oncoming obstruction; after use is complete, the user can remove the surface grip (102) by lifting the red handle (100) and releasing the suction of the movable surface grip (102).

A fourth preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a portable surface grip (102) for moving securing an attached apparatus (110) anywhere on a watercraft comprising: a surface grip (102) having a releasable foot forming the base of the grip, a handle forming the top of the grip for releasing from or securing the foot to a surface, and a tie-down attached to the top of the grip; wherein the surface grip (102) is portable and may be secured to a surface area by tightening the handle and forming a suction between the surface area and the releasable foot, and wherein the tie-down is a connecting device (112) for attaching an apparatus (110) to the surface grip (102), providing a portable watercraft cleat.

The invention further comprises a method for releasably securing an apparatus (110) to a surface on a watercraft to provide a movable cleat (102) comprising the steps of: providing a surface grip (102) having a releasable foot forming the base of the grip and a handle forming the top of the grip for releasing from or securing the foot to a surface; attaching a tie-down to the upper surface of the surface grip; releasably attaching an apparatus (110) to the tie-down; locating the surface grip (102) on a preferred surface location of the watercraft; securing the surface grip (102) to the surface by locking the handle to form a vacuum with the releasable foot and the preferred surface location of the watercraft; and releasing the attached apparatus (110) without releasing the surface grip (102) from the preferred surface location.

The invention further comprises a method for releasably securing an apparatus (110) to a surface on a watercraft to provide a movable cleat (102) comprising the steps of: providing a surface grip (102) having a releasable foot forming the base of the grip and a handle forming the top of the grip for releasing from or securing the foot to a surface; attaching a tie-down to the upper surface of the surface grip (102); releasably attaching an apparatus (110) to the tie-down; locating the surface grip (102) on a preferred surface location of the watercraft; securing the surface grip to the surface by locking the handle to form a vacuum with the releasable foot and the preferred surface location of the watercraft; and releasing the surface grip (102) from the preferred surface location without releasing the attached apparatus (110).

The Freedom Cleat surface grip (102) is connected to any surface to make sure an apparatus (110) is secure. The surface grip (102) has an adjustable handle (100) which gives the user the ability to adjust the height and placement. The D-ring (104) is used to connect the connecting device (112) to the surface grip (102). This gives you the freedom to adjust the height of where you want your given apparatus (110). The connecting device (112) connects to a carabiner (106), which can attach to any given apparatus (110). The Freedom Cleat is very useful within the boating department and can be used to help the protection and organization of any given watercraft.

The user of the Freedom Cleat will use force to remove and adhere the suction of the surface grip (102). This suction attaches to a smooth surface, allowing for the Freedom Cleat and the attached apparatus (110) to remain in the desired location. The Freedom Cleat does not rely on boat railings or fixed cleats, where boat fenders are typically attached. It has the ability to move anywhere via its portable surface grip (102).

The method of determining where to place the Freedom Cleat involves selecting a smooth surface that will allow proper use of the attached apparatus (110). Once the position is chosen, the user will snap the portable surface grip (102) into place. The grip (102) can hold up to 200 pounds of force, so the attached apparatus (110) should be no heavier than this. The most typical scenario in which the Freedom Cleat will be employed is for securing a boat fender in the user's desired location. This should not pose a problem with the weight requirement. There is no minimum weight at which the Freedom Cleat is most effective.

The connecting device (112) displayed in FIG. 1 is most typically a rope used for securing the attached apparatus (110) (in most cases a boat fender) in a desired location. This connecting device (112) (if replaced by the user) should be resistant to rust that may result from exposure to corrosive saltwater. The connecting device (112) can be looped and hung to dry in the securable velcro loop (108) displayed in FIG. 2. This will prevent mold, rotting, and corrosion of the connecting device (112).

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is the Freedom Cleat with an attached apparatus (110) connected to the cleat by a connecting device (112).

FIG. 2 is the Freedom Cleat with a Velcro securable loop (108) attached, which holds an attached apparatus (110).

Claims

1. A portable surface grip for moving an attached apparatus anywhere on a watercraft comprising: a surface grip; a D-ring attached to the surface grip at one end; and a connecting device attached to the D-ring at an opposite end; the connecting device further comprising a knot stopper at the D-ring end for preventing loosening of the connection between the connecting device and the carabiner;

a carabiner attached to the connecting device opposite the D-ring; and an apparatus attached to the carabiner; wherein the surface grip is portable and may be secured anywhere on a watercraft allowing for cleating an apparatus any place about a watercraft.

2. A portable surface grip attached to a line holder that holds an attached apparatus; the surface grip of the Freedom Cleat can be moved anywhere on the watercraft, allowing for a cleat in any place; the surface grip attaches to a D-Ring, which is used to attach some connecting device; attached to the D-Ring is a carabiner, which hooks onto a securable loop; this securable loop can be used to hold anything that the user may need including, but not limited to, dock lines, life throws, and life vests.

3. A portable surface grip that attaches to a fender and is used as a cleat for securing a fender to prevent collisions between the user's watercraft and another watercraft and/or the user's watercraft and some other obstruction the surface grip can be moved to any location on the watercraft and snapped into place with the red handle; the attached apparatus, a fender in this case, is then used to block the oncoming obstruction; after use is complete, the user can remove the surface grip by lifting the red handle and releasing the suction of the movable surface grip.

4. A portable surface grip for moving securing an attached apparatus anywhere on a watercraft comprising: a surface grip having a releasable foot forming the base of the grip, a handle forming the top of the grip for releasing from or securing the foot to a surface, and a tie-down attached to the top of the grip; wherein the surface grip is portable and may be secured to a surface area by tightening the handle and forming a suction between the surface area and the releasable foot, and wherein the tie-down is a connecting device for attaching an apparatus to the surface grip, providing a portable watercraft cleat.

5. The portable surface grip of claim 1, wherein the tie-down comprises a D-ring fixed to the top of the surface grip and a connecting device releasably secured to the D-ring for releasably connecting an apparatus to the surface grip.

6. The portable surface grip of claim 1, wherein the attached apparatus is a lifesaving buoy.

7. The portable surface grip of claim 1, wherein the attached apparatus is a boat fender.

8. A method for releasably securing an apparatus to a surface on a watercraft to provide a movable cleat comprising the steps of: providing a surface grip having a releasable foot forming the base of the grip and a handle forming the top of the grip for releasing from or securing the foot to a surface; attaching a tie-down to the upper surface of the surface grip; releasably attaching an apparatus to the tie-down; locating the surface grip on a preferred surface location of the watercraft; securing the surface grip to the surface by locking the handle to form a vacuum with the releasable foot and the preferred surface location of the watercraft; and releasing the attached apparatus without releasing the surface grip from the preferred surface location.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of: releasing the surface grip from the preferred surface location; and relocating the surface grip to a second surface location.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the attached apparatus is a lifebuoy, a sheet line, or a boat fender.

11. A method for releasably securing an apparatus to a surface on a watercraft to provide a movable cleat comprising the steps of: providing a surface grip having a releasable foot forming the base of the grip and a handle forming the top of the grip for releasing from or securing the foot to a surface; attaching a tie-down to the upper surface of the surface grip; releasably attaching an apparatus to the tie-down; locating the surface grip on a preferred surface location of the watercraft; securing the surface grip to the surface by locking the handle to form a vacuum with the releasable foot and the preferred surface location of the watercraft; and releasing the surface grip from the preferred surface location without releasing the attached apparatus.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the attached apparatus is a lifebuoy, a sheet line, or a boat fender.

13. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of: releasing the attached apparatus from the surface grip; releasing the surface grip to a second surface location; and storing the surface grip and attached apparatus on the watercraft.