MARINE CLEAT ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A cleat assembly is provided, which comprises a base plate comprising a face plate including a first and second leg receptacles, first and second tubes in communication with the first and second leg receptacles. Both the first and second tubes are integral with and extending from the face plate. The cleat assembly also comprises first and second friction bushings, and a cleat comprising a securing portion and a first and second legs extending from the securing portion configured to respectively slide in the first and second friction bushings to allow the securing portion to be raised from a stowed position to an extended position to allow a line to be secured to the securing portion.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to generally to marine cleat assemblies. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a cleat assembly configured to be moved from a retracted, stowed position and to be raised to an extended, operating position.

BACKGROUND

Cleat assemblies are used to secure marine vessels such as recreational and commercial boats, as well as ships, using a mooring line affixed to the cleat. Cleat assemblies that are retractable can be retracted from an operating position in which the cleat assembly is extended when a mooring line is affixed to the cleat to a retracted position to move the cleat out of the way when the cleat assembly is not in use. In the retracted position, the cleat is substantially flush against the boat deck, preventing personnel on the boat from tripping on the cleat assembly or catching fishing line or clothing on the cleat assembly.

Existing retractable cleat assemblies include a face plate, a support base having two tubes and a retractable cleat having handle portion and two legs that are slidably engaged with the two tubes. Many existing retractable cleat assemblies comprise numerous parts which can be difficult to assemble the final cleat assembly to a marine vessel or dock, and some of the parts are made from plastic. Plastic parts have a tendency to wear out, which results in some existing cleat assemblies having a reduced service life. When the parts wear out, many existing cleat assemblies are not easy to service, and the cleat assembly must be completely replaced, which is expensive.

Accordingly, there remains a need for improved cleat assemblies that can be easily assembled to a mounting surface such as a marine vessel or a dock. It would also be desired to provide cleat assemblies that were configured so that if one of the components of the cleat assembly requires replacement or maintenance, the cleat assembly can be easily disassembled and reassembled with a tool such as a hex wrench, a socket wrench or a screwdriver.

SUMMARY

One or more embodiments of the disclosure are directed to a cleat assembly comprising a base plate comprising a face plate including a first leg receptable, a second leg receptacle, and a first tube in communication with the first leg receptacle and a second tube in communication with the second leg receptacle, both the first tube and the second tube integral with the face plate and extending from the face plate, the first tube and the second tube each comprising a lower portion and a threaded portion to respectively receive a first threaded fastener and a second threaded fastener configured to mount the base plate; a first base plate bushing receptacle in an upper portion of the first tube and including a first ledge and a second base plate bushing receptacle in an upper portion of the second tube and including a second ledge; a first friction bushing and a second friction bushing, each of the first friction bushing and the second friction bushing comprising a sleeve of flexible material including a gap configured to allow expansion and contraction of the friction bushing to be inserted respectively in the first base plate bushing receptacle and the second base plate bushing receptacle; a cleat comprising a securing portion and a first leg and a second leg extending from the securing portion, the first leg and the second leg spaced apart and configured to respectively slide in the first friction bushing and the second friction bushing to allow the securing portion to be raised from a stowed position to an extended position to allow a line to be secured to the securing portion; and a first fastener and a second fastener, each of the first fastener and the second fastener comprising threads and a head configured to secure the cleat to the base plate and prevent the cleat from being removed from the base plate when the cleat is in the extended position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present disclosure can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the disclosure, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the disclosure may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a cleat assembly in accordance with one or more embodiments;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the cleat assembly shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 an isometric view of a friction bushing of the cleat assembly shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the cleat assembly shown in FIG. 1 in an assembled configuration;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the cleat assembly shown in FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is cross-sectional view of the cleat assembly shown in FIG. 1 showing details of the face plate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before describing several exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the details of construction or process steps set forth in the following description. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways.

The term “horizontal” as used herein is defined as a plane parallel to the plane or surface of a cleat assembly, regardless of its orientation. The term “vertical” refers to a direction perpendicular to the horizontal as just defined. Terms, such as “above”, “below”, “bottom”, “top”, “side” (as in “sidewall”), “higher”, “lower”, “upper”, “over”, and “under”, are defined with respect to the horizontal plane, as shown in the figures.

The term “on” indicates that there is direct contact between elements. The term “directly on” indicates that there is direct contact between elements with no intervening elements.

Referring to FIGS. 1-6, according to one or more embodiments, a cleat assembly 100 is provided. The cleat assembly 100 comprises a base plate 108 comprising a face plate 110 including a first leg receptacle 110a, a second leg receptacle 110b, and a first tube 105a in communication with the first leg receptacle 110a and a second tube 105b in communication with the second leg receptacle 110b, both the first tube 105a and the second tube 105b are integral with the face plate 110 and extending from the face plate 110. As used herein according to one or more embodiments, “integral” means that face plate 110, the first tube 105a and the second tube 105b are not separate components and form a unitary structure that comprise the base plate 108. In some embodiments, the first tube 105a and the second tube 105b are affixed to a lower portion of the face plate 110 in a permanent manner such as by a welded or soldered joint between each of the first tube 105a and a bottom portion of the face plate 110 and the second tube 105b and a bottom portion of the face plate 110. In some embodiments, the face plate 110 and the first tube 105a and the second tube 105b are integrally cast as a single piece of metal material. In other embodiments, the first tube 105a and the second tube 105b are affixed to the face plate 110 by threads on an upper end of each of the first tube 105a and the second tube 105b.

The first tube 105a and the second tube 105b respectively comprise a lower portion 116a associated with the first tube 105a and a lower portion 116b associated with the second tube 105b. The first tube 105a comprises a threaded portion 112a to receive a first threaded fastener 115a. The second tube 105b comprises a second threaded fastener 115b. The first threaded fastener 115a and the second threaded fastener 115b each comprise female threads, and in some embodiments, each of the first threaded fastener 115a and the second threaded fastener 115b comprises a threaded nut that are configured mount the base plate 108.

The base plate 108 is configured to be mounted to a mounting surface, such as a dock or a pier were a marine vessel is docked, or to a portion of a marine vessel. The portion of the marine vessel would be on any usual topside surface of a marine vessel, including the bow, the stern, typically on both the port and starboard sides of the marine vessel, and on an intermediate topside surfaces such as on a gunwale. The base plate 108 mounted to a mounting surface 152 is shown in FIG. 6, and it is noted that the mounting surface is shown only on one side of the base plate 108 so as not to obscure the reference characters shown on the right side of the base plate 108. It will be understood that the base plate 108 will be mounted through two openings in the mounting surface 152 by inserting the first tube 105a and the second tube 105b through the openings in the mounting surface. After insertion of the first tube 105a and the second tube 105b through the mounting surface 152 a first flat washer 114a and a second flat washer 114b are respectively positioned above the first threaded fastener 115a and the second threaded fastener 115b, and the first flat washer 114a and the second flat washer 114b are moved upwardly as the first threaded fastener 115a and the second threaded fastener 115b are tightened to secure the base plate 108 to the mounting surface 152.

The cleat assembly 100 further comprises a first base plate bushing receptacle 126a in an upper portion of the first tube 105a and including a first ledge 127a and a second base plate bushing receptacle 126b in an upper portion of the second tube 105b and including a second ledge 127b. There is a first friction bushing 106a and a second friction bushing 106b, each of the first friction bushing 106a and the second friction bushing 106b comprising a sleeve of flexible material including a gap 107e configured to allow expansion and contraction of the friction bushing 106a to be inserted respectively in the first base plate bushing receptacle 126a and the second base plate bushing receptacle 126b.

The cleat assembly 100 further comprises a cleat 101 comprising a securing portion 102 and a first leg 104a and a second leg 104b extending from the securing portion 102. The first leg 104a and the second leg 104b are spaced apart and configured to respectively slide in the first friction bushing 106a and the second friction bushing 106b mounted in the base plate 108 to allow the securing portion 102 to be raised from a stowed position to an extended position as shown to allow a line to be secured to the securing portion 102. Referring to FIG. 6, which shows the securing portion 102 in a raised position to a height H. By applying a downward force on the securing portion 102, the cleat assembly 100 can be moved to a stowed or a closed position where the height H is reduced to zero or near zero. It will be appreciated that the height H can be adjusted depending on the diameter of the line, which can be a rope, secured to the cleat assembly 100. As shown in FIG. 6, the securing portion of the cleat 101 can be moved up and down as indicated by the arrow 150. The cleat 101 is moved to a stowed position when the marine vessel has left a dock, pier or mooring, so that the cleat does not present a tripping hazard or interferes with fishing lines or other activities on the boat.

The cleat assembly 100 further comprises a first fastener 121a and a second fastener 121b, wherein each of the first fastener and the second fastener respectively comprise threads 124a, 124b and a head 123a, 123b configured to secure the cleat 101 to the base plate 108 and prevent the cleat 101 from being removed from the base plate 108 when the cleat 101 moved to the extended position. It will be appreciated that the first fastener 121a and the second fastener 121 can be in the form of a screw or a bolt, and the threads 124a, 124b are male threads. The heads 123a, 123b can comprise a flared portion and include a hex socket, a slotted head, or a Philips head.

In one or more embodiments, each of the first friction bushing 106a and the second friction bushing 106b comprises inner channels 109c on an interior opening 130 thereof. The inner channels 109c are configured to allow water to pass through the first friction bushing 106a and the second friction bushing 106b and through the first tube 105a and the second tube 105b to exit the cleat assembly 100. In addition, the outside surface 107c of each of the friction bushing 106a and the second friction bushing 106b is shaped to provide outer channels 107d, which are configured to allow water to pass through the first friction bushing 106a and the second friction bushing 106b and through the first tube 105a and the second tube 105b to exit the cleat assembly 100. In one or more embodiments, as shown, the lower portion 116a associated with the first tube 105a and the lower portion 116b of the second tube 105b each comprise a textured surface, which may be in the form of barbs configured to receive a hose or tubing to direct water that passes through the first tube 105a and the second tube 105b and drain to a desired location, for example to the bilge of a marine vessel or outside of the marine vessel.

In some embodiments, each of the first friction bushing 106a and the second friction bushing 106b comprises friction extensions 109d configured to contact the first leg 104a and the second leg 104b as cleat 101 is raised and lowered. As the cleat 101 is raised and lowered the outer surface of the first leg 104a contacts the friction extension 109d facing the interior opening 130 of the first friction bushing 106a and the outer surface of the second leg 104b contact the friction extension 109d facing the interior opening 130 of the second friction bushing 106b.

In one or more embodiments of the cleat assembly 100 the friction extensions 109d comprise longitudinal protrusions extending radially on an inner surface of the friction bushing facing the interior opening 130 of each of the first friction bushing 106a and the second friction bushing 106b. In some embodiments of the cleat assembly 100, the longitudinal protrusions that form the friction extensions 109d are spaced on the inner surface of each of the first friction bushing 106a and the second friction bushing 106b. The friction extensions 109d are separated by the inner channels 109c configured to allow water to pass through each of the first friction bushing 106a and the second friction bushing 106b and through the first tube and second tube to exit the cleat assembly 100. In other embodiments, the friction extensions 109d can comprise a series of spaced inward protrusions in the form of discrete bumps.

In the embodiments shown of the cleat assembly 100, wherein each of the first friction bushing 106a and the second friction bushing 106b comprises at least three longitudinal protrusions 109d. The first friction bushing 106a and the second friction bushing 106b according to other embodiments include any suitable number of longitudinal extensions 109d, for example, two, three, four five, six or more longitudinal extensions, provided the longitudinal extensions provide sufficient friction to prevent the cleat 101 from freely sliding through the first friction bushing 106a and the second friction bushing 106b and their channels to allow water to escape through the cleat assembly 100 through the first tube 105a and the second tube 105b.

In the embodiment shown, the first friction bushing 106a is seated upon the first ledge 127a of the base plate and the second friction bushing 106b is seated upon the second ledge 127b of the base plate. The first ledge 127a holds the first friction bushing 106a and the second ledge 127b holds the second friction bushing 106 in place as a downward force is applied to the cleat 101 to move the cleat 101 to retracted position.

The first leg 104a of the cleat 101 comprises a first threaded receptacle 113a and the second leg 104b of the cleat 101 comprises a second threaded receptacle 113b. Each of first threaded receptacle 113a and the second threaded receptacle 113b are respectively configured to receive the first fastener 121a and the second fastener 121b to secure the cleat 101 to the base plate 108 and prevent the cleat 101 from being removed from the base plate 108 when the cleat is moved upwardly to the extended position. The cleat assembly 100 of one or more embodiments further includes at least a first washer 120a and a second washer 120b, which respectively configured to be positioned on the first fastener 121a and the second fastener 121b. In some embodiments of the cleat assembly 100, there is at least a first lock washer 122a and a second lock washer 122b respectively configured to be positioned on the first fastener 121a and the second fastener 121b and to lock the first fastener 121a and the second fastener 121b respectively to the first tube 105a and the second tube 105b of the base plate 108. Advantageously, the cleat assembly can be easily assembled to a mounting surface 152 by fastening the first fastener in the first threaded receptacle 113a and the second fastener 121b in the second threaded receptacle 113b. The first washer 120a and the first lock washer 122a lock the first fastener 121a in place, and the second washer 120b and the second lock washer 122b lock the second fastener 121b in place.

Another advantage of the cleat assembly 100 of one or more embodiments is that if one of the components of the cleat assembly 100 requires replacement or maintenance, for example the first friction bushing 106a and the second friction bushing 106b, the cleat assembly 100 can be easily disassembled and reassembled with a tool such as a hex wrench, a socket wrench or a screwdriver.

According to one or more embodiments, the cleat assembly 100 consists essentially of metal material, except for the first friction bushing 106a and the second friction bushing 106b. In some embodiments, the first friction bushing 106a and the second friction bushing 106b consist of plastic and the base plate 108 and the cleat 101 consist of stainless steel. Advantageously, the stainless steel resists rusting.

In one or more embodiments, the first tube 105a, the second tube 106b and the face plate 110 of the base plate comprise a unitary piece of metal. In specific embodiments, the base plate consists of stainless steel. In some embodiments of the cleat assembly 100 the first tube 105a and the second tube 105b are welded to the face plate 110. In other embodiments, of the cleat assembly 100, the first tube 105a and the second tube 105b are fitted to the face plate 110. The first tube 105a and the second tube 105b can be friction fitted to the face plate or threadably fitted to the face plate 110.

Advantageously, according to one or more embodiments of the cleat assembly 100 described herein, the cleat assembly has one or more advantages. The plastic material of the first friction bushing 106a and the second friction bushing 106b provides a smooth pull up and push down for the cleat 101 as the cleat 101 is moved from an extended to a retracted position. As previously noted, the individual components are replaceable and easier to assemble and disassemble compared to existing designs.

By placing the first friction bushing 106a and the second friction bushing below the face plate 110 on the respective first ledge 127a and the second ledge 127b, the overall height of the cleat assembly 100 is reduced and less distance is required beneath the face plate 110. In addition, the load bearing point of the cleat assembly comprises a first solid joint comprising the junction of the first fastener 121a, the first lock washer 122a and first washer 120a and a second solid joint comprising the junction of the second fastener 121b, the second lock washer 122b and second washer 120b without having to add a friction element.

In addition, the cleat assembly 100 according to one or more embodiments, the first lock washer 122a and the second lock washer 122b retainer the first fastener 121a and the second fastener 121b in place retain the during boat movement instead of using a thread locking agent, providing a more a more reliable cleat assembly. Also, eliminating the thread locking agent allows the cleat assembly to be disassembled more readily.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “certain embodiments,” “one or more embodiments” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosure. Thus, the appearances of the phrases such as “in one or more embodiments,” “in certain embodiments,” “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment of the disclosure. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, materials, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

Although the disclosure herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the cleat assembly of the present disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Thus, it is intended that the present disclosure include modifications and variations that are within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A cleat assembly comprising:

a base plate comprising a face plate including a first leg receptable, a second leg receptacle, and a first tube in communication with the first leg receptacle and a second tube in communication with the second leg receptacle, both the first tube and the second tube integral with the face plate and extending from the face plate, the first tube and the second tube each comprising a lower portion and a threaded portion to respectively receive a first threaded fastener and a second threaded fastener configured to mount the base plate;

a first base plate bushing receptacle in an upper portion of the first tube and including a first ledge and a second base plate bushing receptacle in an upper portion of the second tube and including a second ledge;

a first friction bushing and a second friction bushing, each of the first friction bushing and the second friction bushing comprising a sleeve of flexible material including a gap configured to allow expansion and contraction of the friction bushing to be inserted respectively in the first base plate bushing receptacle and the second base plate bushing receptacle;

a cleat comprising a securing portion and a first leg and a second leg extending from the securing portion, the first leg and the second leg spaced apart and configured to respectively slide in the first friction bushing and the second friction bushing to allow the securing portion to be raised from a stowed position to an extended position to allow a line to be secured to the securing portion; and

a first fastener and a second fastener, each of the first fastener and the second fastener comprising threads and a head configured to secure the cleat to the base plate and prevent the cleat from being removed from the base plate when the cleat is in the extended position.

2. The cleat assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the first friction bushing and the second friction bushing comprises channels configured to allow water to pass through the first friction bushing and the second friction bushing and through the first tube and the second tube to exit the cleat assembly.

3. The cleat assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the first friction bushing and the second friction bushing comprises friction extensions configured to contact the first leg and the second leg as cleat is raised and lowered.

4. The cleat assembly of claim 3, wherein the friction extensions comprise longitudinal protrusions extending radially on an inner surface of the friction bushing.

5. The cleat assembly of claim 4, wherein the longitudinal protrusions are spaced on the inner surface of each of the first friction bushing and the second friction bushing and separated by channels configured to allow water to pass through each of the first friction bushing and the second friction bushing and through the first tube and second tube to exit the cleat.

6. The cleat assembly of claim 5, wherein each of the first friction bushing and the second friction bushing comprises at least three longitudinal protrusions.

7. The cleat assembly of claim 4, wherein the first friction bushing is seated upon the first ledge and the second friction bushing is seated upon the second ledge.

8. The cleat assembly of claim 1, wherein the first leg comprises a first threaded receptacle and the second leg comprises a second threaded receptacle, each of first threaded receptacle and the second threaded receptacle are respectively configured to receive the first fastener and the second fastener to secure the cleat to the base plate and prevent the cleat from being removed from the base plate when the cleat is in the extended position.

9. The cleat assembly of claim 8, further comprising at least a first washer and a second washer respectively configured to be positioned on the first fastener and the second fastener.

10. The cleat assembly of claim 9, further comprising at least a first lock washer and a second lock washer respectively configured to be positioned on the first fastener and the second fastener and to lock the first fastener and the second fastener respectively to the first leg and the second leg.

11. The cleat assembly of claim 1, the cleat assembly consists essentially of metal material, except for the first friction bushing and the second friction bushing.

12. The cleat assembly of claim 11, wherein the first friction bushing and the second friction bushing consist of plastic and the base plate and the cleat consist of stainless steel.

13. The cleat assembly of claim 1, wherein the first tube, the second tube and the face plate comprise a unitary piece of metal.

14. The cleat assembly of claim 13, wherein the first tube and the second tube are welded to the face plate.

15. The cleat assembly of claim 14, wherein the first tube and the second tube are fitted to the face plate.

16. The cleat assembly of claim 15, wherein the first tube and the second tube are threadably fitted to the face plate.

17. The cleat assembly of claim 13, wherein the first tube, the second tube and the face plate comprises stainless steel.

18. The cleat assembly of claim 13, where the first tube, the second tube, the face plate and the cleat comprise stainless steel.