Abstract: A spring loaded bollard assembly for the selective engagement and/or disengagement of a cable (as hereinbefore defined) includes a base member which is adapted to be mounted on or to a given surface, as for example a boat hull, pier, jetty or the like, and a cable receiving and retaining means releasably attachable to that base member, the cable receiving and retaining means including a housing which is releasably attachable to the base member, that housing including guide roller means for controlling the direction of movement of the cable and means for capturing that cable, the capture means being spring loaded to allow for selective and progressive relaxation and/or tightening of the cable, subject to the vagaries of the elements, including tide and weather.

Abstract: A hidden cleat structure for boat comprises a seat body, a mobile pile, elastic components, a driving piece, and a driving rod. The mobile pile longitudinally and slidably connects the seat body. The elastic components are disposed in the sliding direction between the mobile pile and the seat body. The driving piece can move transversely, and is disposed in a receiving cavity of the seat body. An erect heart-shape track is disposed on the driving piece. One end of the driving rod is fixed on the mobile pile, and the other end thereof is located in the heart-shaped track. The heart-shape track includes an upper and a lower stop points and two transitional points obliquely placed in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction. The driving rod can make unidirectional circulatory motion in the heart-shaped track along with upward and downward slide of the mobile pile.

Abstract: A marine bitt which is easily removed from the deck of an ocean going vessel and attached to the deck of the vessel. The marine bitt is used to secure cargo including vehicles to the deck of a barge or other ocean going vehicles. The easy removal of the marine bitt allows for rapid loading and unloading of cargo from the deck of the vessel.

Abstract: A bitt with a freely rotatable line-handling surface includes a frame having a first side and a second side. The first and second sides of the frame each include first and second ends, and the first and second sides of the frame are substantially planar. The first and second sides adjoin each other at the first ends and define an angle therebetween. The first and second sides of the frame are arranged for being attachable to a surface of a marine vessel at the second ends of the first and second sides of the frame. First and second shafts extend outwardly from the planes of the first and second sides of the frame, respectively. The first and second shafts each have a longitudinal axis. The axis of each of the first and second shafts extends approximately perpendicularly to the plane of the first and second sides of the frame. First and second rollers each have an axis, and the first and second rollers each define a bore along the axis of the respective roller.

Abstract: A hanger for attaching an end of a line into a cleat having an opening, the hanger having a length, a width, and a thickness, wherein the thickness and width are such that they may pass through the opening defined by the cleat and the length is greater than that of the opening, and a receiver formed on a hanger for securing the end of the line to the hanger, whereby upon passing the hanger lengthwise through the opening, the hanger is rotated to bring the length to bear on the walls of the opening preventing the hanger from passing back through the opening.

Abstract: A lift-up cleat assembly includes a base member having an upper plate shaped to abut a mounting surface and at least one normally vertically oriented tube depending from the plate, wherein the tube has a hollow interior, and a retractable cleat member having an upper cleat-shaped head shaped to retain lines thereon, and at least one normally vertically oriented mounting post depending from the head, wherein the post is telescopingly received in the interior of the tube of the base member and is telescopingly movable along a given length of travel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a string fastening device which allows a string to be threaded thereinto easily, facilitates tightening of the string and enables the string to be gripped softly and captured accurately. The string fastening device can be used with its main body only and the main body includes a penetrating hole comprised of a sliding passage portion which allows the string to be moved freely and a braking passage portion for restricting movement of the string such that they adjoin. A narrow portion is provided at a joint portion so as to prevent the string from changing its path freely. The main body is made of thermoplastic elastomer to have elasticity. A rear face of the main body is formed to be a flat face. An attachment groove or sewing holes for sewing operation are provided around the penetrating hole. The main body is placed on a string threading hole in the cloth to be attached by a sewing thread to be fixed securely.

Abstract: The cable fastening device of the present invention is for use in cooperation with a cable having a first lug mounted on a first end and a second lug mounted towards an opposite second end. The fastening device is for releasably fastening the first and second ends of the cable together with the cable snugly around a bundle of elongate objects such as logs. The fastening device includes a rigid housing having an elongate channel therein. The channel extends from a first end wall of the housing to a second and opposite end wall of the housing. A pair of side walls extends along the channel so as to define a channel opening and a channel cavity between the pair of side walls and the first and second end walls. A first cantilevered member extends into the cavity from a first side wall of the pair of side walls. A second cantilevered member extends into the cavity from a second side wall of the pair of side walls.

Abstract: A boat cleat with retractable line. A retractable line is wound around a spool that is rotatably mounted within a line encasing. A cleat is rigidly attached to the outside surface of the line encasing. A spring is operably coupled to the spool and urges rotation of the spool in a line take-up direction. In a preferred embodiment, a locking device is connected to the spool for preventing unwanted rotation of the spool.

Abstract: A bitt with a freely rotatable line-handling surface includes a frame having a first side and a second side. The first and second sides of the frame each include first and second ends, and the first and second sides of the frame are substantially planar. The first and second sides adjoin each other at the first ends and define an angle therebetween. The first and second sides of the frame are arranged for being attachable to a surface of a marine vessel at the second ends of the first and second sides of the frame. First and second shafts extend outwardly from the planes of the first and second sides of the frame, respectively. The first and second shafts each have a longitudinal axis. The axis of each of the first and second shafts extends approximately perpendicularly to the plane of the first and second sides of the frame. First and second rollers each have an axis, and the first and second rollers each define a bore along the axis of the respective roller.

Abstract: A boom vang system for sailboats has a rear facing pivotal cam cleat arm hingedly connected to a rigid tang on the sailboat mast. When the boom vang rotates off the centerline of the boat, as for instance will occur when the boat is sailing downwind and the boom and sail are blow off the centerline of the boat, the pivotal connection of the cam cleat arm, to the tang allows for the cam cleat to be urged into alignment with the sailor regardless of his position on the boat. The cam cleat arm may rotate along an arc lying in a plane substantially parallel to the boat deck. Sheeves and pulleys may be rigidly connected to the rigid tang to prevent tangling of lines.

Abstract: An apparatus for gripping a flexible elongated member includes a housing having a base, a lever pivotally connected to the housing, and a gripping component having a gripping member. The lever is pivotally connected to the housing, and the gripping component is mounted so as to be movable relative to the housing. The gripping component, housing, and lever are arranged such that manipulation of the elongated member so as to contact the lever will cause the lever and gripping component to move relative to each other, thereby gripping or releasing the elongated member.

Abstract: A portable boat cleat assembly (10) includes a cleat member (12) mounted to an upper surface (16) of a base member (14) and a cylindrical rod member (20) having an upper end (22) attached to the lower surface (18) of the base member, wherein the cylindrical rod member is sized and shaped for being snugly received within a rod-receiving cylinder (36) extending generally downward through an upper hull portion (30) into an interior hull space of a boat.

Abstract: A portable boat cleat assembly (10) includes a cleat member (12) mounted to an upper surface (16) of a base member (14) and a cylindrical rod member (20) having an upper end (22) attached to the lower surface (18) of the base member, wherein the cylindrical rod member is sized and shaped for being snugly received within a rod-receiving cylinder (36) extending generally downward through an upper hull portion (30) into an interior hull space of a boat.

Abstract: An anti-theft device for water craft to secure boats and to secure accessories in three embodiments. The first embodiment discloses a two part locking mechanism comprising a tubular locking bar which reciprocates into locking relationship with a tubular locking cylinder. Both the locking bar and the locking cylinder have projecting and bent locking legs of elongated length configured to enclose the horns of a cleat in secure relationship. The locking bar is capable of being reciprocated into the locking cylinder and locked therein to maintain the locking legs around the horns of the cleat. The second embodiment discloses a locking bar and locking cylinder arrangement wherein the horn engaging locking legs are of relatively thin wall tubular construction and fit around the horns of the cleat. In the third embodiment the horn engaging legs are of circular ring construction and are attached respectively to the locking bar and locking cylinder as described in the other embodiments.

Abstract: A motor winch, which is suitable as a sheet or halyard winch (11) for sailing yachts, etc., has an integrated electric or hydraulic drive. The motor (52) is integrated into the winch in such a way that it is located within the winch body and in particular within the winch drum (16). The motor brings about rotation of the winch drum through a multistage gear located in the winch foot (22), optionally assisted by an epicyclic gear (54). A manual operation with a winch crank is made possible by a winch crank nut (32) in the winch head (29). The manual driving shaft is past the somewhat eccentrically positioned motor. A reverse rotation or veering function can be provided in which following the disconnection of the drum locking mechanism, the motor is rotated back in braking manner with a controlled speed.

Abstract: A system for the transmission of motion to a winch for sailboats, in particular for racing and/or cruising sailboats, comprises first belt transmission means housed inside a pedestal and second belt transmission means between the pedestal and a winch. The transmission system comprises in particular a drive pulley housed in the pedestal, a driven pulley intended to be coaxially mounted onto the primary rotational shaft of the winch, a single belt between the drive pulley and the driven pulley and a pair of motion deviation pulleys between the drive pulley and the driven pulley. The transmission system thus provide for the use of a single belt and a plurality of pulleys; this allows to remarkably reduce the manufacturing costs of the system and simplify its assembly operations onto the boat.

Abstract: A motor winch, which is more particularly suitable as a sheet or halyard winch (11) for sailing yachts, etc., has an integrated electric or hydraulic drive, the motor (52) being integrated into the winch in such a way that it is located within the winch body and in particular within the winch drum (16). By means of a multistage gear located in the winch foot (22), optionally assisted by an epicyclic gear (54) present in the motor, it brings about the rotation of the winch drum. A manual operation with a winch crank is made possible by a winch crank nut (32) in the winch head (29), the manual driving shaft running past the somewhat eccentrically positioned motor.

Abstract: A cleat component including a cleat body with first and second elongated cleat horns extending in substantially opposite directions. A locking member is attached to the body, protruding therefrom in a locking position. At least a receivable one of the body and the locking member is receivable in an opening in a bale of a padeye. The body is mountable to the bale while the locking member is attached to the body. The body is also lockable to the bale when the receivable one is received in the bale with the locking member in the locking position. The component and padeye provide a cleat when locked to each other.

Abstract: A fixture for securing a water craft to a dock includes a linear rigid shaft, terminating at one end with a ring. The shaft is integral with an exterior surface of the ring which provides a first internal machine thread. A disk shaped element provides a first external machine thread for threadedly engaging the first machine thread of the ring. The disk shaped element further provides a pair of opposing arms, extending outwardly from its opposing sides. A pair of spaced apart washer disks are threadedly engaged with the shaft such that rotation in a first rotational sense drives the washer disks together for gripping a dock, and rotation in an opposite sense drives the washer disks apart for loosening the invention from its mount.

Abstract: An anchor cleat for securing an anchor line comprising an elongated base, a one-way jamming cleat mounted on the base, and a skene chock mounted on the base adjacent a jamming end of the jamming cleat. The skene chock is preferably spaced sufficiently from the jamming end of the jamming groove to allow the anchor line to disengage from the jamming groove when the anchor line is inclined above the jamming groove at an angle of less than 25 degrees relative to the base. The jamming cleat comprises a pair of lengthwise opposing walls extending upward from the base, with a substantially V-shaped, ridged jamming groove formed by opposing internal faces of the pair of walls. The ridges are angled upward toward the release end of the jamming groove. The skene chock comprises a pair of spaced apart rigid arm members extending upward from the base, skene portions of each of the rigid arm member curving inward toward one another to thereby form an anchor line receiving aperture.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a marine article of the invention includes a phosphorescent phosphor. A particularly advantageous phosphorescent phosphor comprises MAl2O4. As used herein, “M” is at least one cation selected from a group consisting of calcium, strontium, and barium. The phosphor comprises 0.001% to 10% of a europium activator, and 0.001% to 10% of at least one dopant selected from the group consisting of lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, samarium, gadolinium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, lutetium, tin and bismuth as a co-activator, in terms of mol % relative to the metal element expressed by M. The phosphorescent marine article has an afterglow corresponding to a luminance of at least 0.3 mCd/m2 for at least 420 minutes.

Abstract: A chock wherein a movable inner member is received for relative vertical movement in a housing with the inner member having a conventional diagonal slot therein for receiving a line. The housing has a central counter bore at the top thereof, and a smaller bore extending therefrom and said inner member is received in the housing for relative axial movement between a depressed inoperative position and an upper operative position. A set screw carried by the housing engages a slot in the inner member for limiting relative axial movement therebetween, while a spring loaded poppet carried by the housing is engageable with a detent near the bottom of the inner member to resiliently hold the inner member vertically stationary relative to the housing when in its upper position.

Abstract: A flat oblong piece of brightly colored, durable, stretchable elastomeric material has a pair of apertures spaced by approximately 2″ less than the outermost reaches of the cleat arms. The visual guard may be stretched over the arms of the cleat and provides a visual warning to passersby without interfering with the function of the cleat: a rope may be attached above or below the guard without inhibiting its function.

Abstract: A holder for lines on a boat wherein the holder has internal grooves formed by alternating teeth and which are used to hold a line when force is exerted in one direction and which allow the removal of the line from the holder by pulling on the line in an opposite direction. In addition, the alternating teeth are formed of different heights to accommodate lines of different diameters.

Abstract: A bracket is provided for use with a marine cleat which may be attached to a boat. The bracket is in the form of a rod having first and second ends. The first end of the rod is bent into a Z shape or S shape configuration for engagement with the marine cleat so that the rod is secured to the cleat. The second end is adapted to receive an accessory, such as a lantern.

Abstract: A mounting connector for suspending articles such as fenders from the life lines and life rails in boats provides a secure attachment while enabling rapid disengagement or adjustment in the position of the fender. The mounting connector includes a hook arrangement which hooks onto the life line or life rail and includes a blocker which can be inserted into the hook to prevent accidental disengagement. The fender line passes through two closely spaced parallel holes in the body portion of the connector and can be readily adjusted lengthwise relative to these holes when the connector is moved to a horizontal position, but which bind with such holes when in normal suspended condition.

Abstract: A cleat assembly including a housing and a securing members mounted therein for movement between operative and inoperative positions and a spring loaded poppit carried by the securing members and registerable with detents carried by the housing. The detents having openings therein confluent with the surface of the housing.

Abstract: A multipurpose rope clamp may be attached to a support or suspended from a rail as desired. The clamp provides clamping channel in an open channel between a back plate and a front tongue. Rope is prevented from slipping out of the mouth of the channel by rope guides defining open rope guide channels which open in a direction opposed to the rope gripping channel to form a partial cover for the rope gripping channel. The guides may be lugs spaced to either side of the front tongue so that a bight of rope may be manipulated behind the lugs into the rope gripping channel. Preferably another rope guide channel is provided to form a bight of rope in the clamp into a U-shape.

Abstract: A mooring line receptacle apparatus for a watercraft includes an elongated mooring line receptacle for each mooring line, wherein each mooring line receptacle is composed of a plurality of discrete segments and is connected with the hull of the watercraft preferably at the gunwale thereof; and further includes an abutment member connected with each mooring line at a distal end thereof. The mooring line receptacle has an interior hollow defined by a sidewall composed of a durable material having a slot therein along its entire length. The sidewall opposite the slot is attached to the hull of a selected watercraft via threaded fasteners. One mooring line receptacle is located at the port bow, another at the starboard bow, another at the port stern and another at the starboard stern. Preferably, each of the sets of port and starboard mooring line receptacles end near each other at a generally amidship location on the gunwale where the skipper and crew/passengers enter and leave the watercraft.

Abstract: A causeway mooring apparatus adapted for use with a causeway having a pluity of spaced apart pontoons. The causeway mooring apparatus fits within a gap between adjacent pontoons of the causeway and includes a cleat which is used to secure tow or mooring lines to the causeway. The causeway mooring apparatus is secured to the adjacent pontoons and a pair of L-shaped stringers by a plurality of threaded bolts which also allow for the removal of the causeway mooring apparatus from the causeway. The foundation for the causeway mooring apparatus is an L-shaped tubular support structure. A pair of side stiffener plates are attached to the L-shaped tubular support structure. The side stiffener plates have a cleat mounting plate affixed to their top edge with the cleat mounting plate supporting the cleat. The side stiffener plates transfer applied loads from the cleat through the L-shaped tubular support structure of the mooring apparatus to the pair of L-shaped stringers.

Abstract: A cleat for separately or simultaneously securing a rope and a chain has a pair of cleat horns projecting in opposite directions from an upright portion extending upwardly from a cleat base, the horns being spaced upwardly from the base. A chain link reception slot is downwardly inclined into the upright portion, and is open upwardly and to opposite sides of the upright portion, for receiving and retaining a link of a chain.

Abstract: A rope clamp is provided which is suitable either for use to hang adjustably an article suspended by a rope, or to act as an adjustable tie down. The clamp has a clamping rope channel between a pair of parallel plates. Clamping ribs are located in the rope channel to grip the rope frictionally and to narrow the channel towards its base. One plate of the pair narrows towards one end to leave exposed parts of an inner face on the other plate. Guide to maintain the rope in the rope channel are located on the exposed parts.

Abstract: A mooring line receptacle apparatus for a watercraft includes an elongated mooring line receptacle for each mooring line, wherein each mooring line receptacle is connected with the hull of the watercraft preferably at the gunwale thereof; and further includes an abutment member connected with each mooring line at a distal end thereof. The mooring line receptacle has an interior hollow defined by a sidewall composed of a durable material having a slot therein along its entire length. The sidewall opposite the slot is attached to the hull of a selected watercraft via threaded fasteners. One mooring line receptacle is located at the port bow, another at the starboard bow, another at the port stern and another at the starboard stern. Preferably, each of the sets of port and starboard mooring line receptacles end near each other at a generally amidship location on the gunwale where the skipper and crew/passengers enter and leave the watercraft.

Abstract: A retractable cleat for recreational boats and the like includes a seal to inhibit moisture from entering the interior of the cleat. The retractable cleat has a base member, a retractable cleat member and seal positioned therebetween. The base has an upper plate for mounting on an associated boat surface, and a tube depending therefrom. The tube has a hollow interior with a stepped-shaped seat disposed adjacent to an uppermost end thereof. The retractable cleat member has an upper cleat-shaped head and a post depending therefrom. The post is telescopingly received into the interior of the base tube. The seal has an exterior surface thereof closely received in the base seat, and an interior surface closely receiving the cleat post therein. The resilient seal is configured to permit the post to slide longitudinally when the retractable cleat is shifted between a raised use position and a lowered storage position, and forms a watertight seal about the post to inhibit water from seeping into the base.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a swivel release rope spool including a first mounting surface; and a first rotatable cleat detachably attached to the first mounting surface.

Abstract: A device is provided including an eyelet with a rod having a first end connected thereto. A cross bar is coupled at a central extent thereof to a second end of the rod. A spring mechanism is adapted for being urged toward the cross bar with a recipient surface situated therebetween.

Abstract: The snugger bugger slack adjuster is a handle comprising of two mating shell halves containing three parts. A plunger-button, a prong and a spring. The manually operable prong has two upward tines set at 45 degree angles. These tines are set in opposite directions so that when a line is in place, the tines will embed themselves deeply into the lines. When the plunger button is depressed, the prong will disappear into a chamber in the handle allowing the line to move freely. The release clamp is seated within in the handle halves such that the button extends upward through an aperture provided in the handle. When so seated, the spring bears against the underside of the prong, driving it upward which brings the line-engaging tines into contact with a portion of the line that passes through the handle. When so seated the line-engaging tines bear against the lines within the handle and they are unable to be advanced when the plunger-button and prong is in an unbiased position.

Abstract: A device that is fastened to a boat, dock or pier wherein the device is in the configuration of a mushroom top at the upper end, a base plate at the lower end and a stanchion fixing the base plate to the mushroom top and wherein a ring with an extended finger is loosely disposed about the stanchion between the mushroom top and the base plate thereby allowing the ring to rotate freely and wherein the device is either fixed to a dock or a boat wherein a rope that has a knot on the first end of said rope is inserted into a slot formed in said extended finger wherein said knot cannot be pulled from said slot formed in said extended finger thereby fixing the first end of the rope to a first device that is fixed to dock and wherein the second end of the rope is tied to a ring that is disposed about a stanchion of a second device that is fixed to the boat thereby warping said boat to said dock or pier.

Abstract: An easy-releasing cleat for sailboat deck equipment includes a sheave against which the rope can be pressed by a toothed roller rotatably mounted on an axle. The a toothed roller is provided with a controlable lock which can be set either in an unlocked position to let the a toothed roller freely rotate on its axle and the rope freely run between the roller and the sheave, or in locked position to prevent the roller from rotating on its axle and to hold firmly the rope against the sheave as a conventional cam would do.

Abstract: A cleating device (20) for securing a line (34) to a boat or a dock. The device (20) includes a cleat head (36) supported by two upright stems (38) connecting to an elongated platform (30) having opposed ends and a middle section therebetween. A deadeye (28) is formed between the cleat head stems (38). The cleat head (36) includes at least two protruding arms (37a), (37b). In one embodiment, the cleat head protruding arms (37a), (37b) form a V-shape. In a second embodiment, the cleat head protruding arms (37a), (37b) form an S-shape. Chock side horns (26a), (26b) are provided at the platform ends and are each generally oriented inward, toward the platform middle section. The protruding arms (37a), (37b) and side horns (26a), (26b) are nonlinearly aligned relative to one another as viewed in plan view.

Abstract: A mooring device for securing of watercraft to a structure having spaced apart planking is provided. The mooring device comprises a shaft, an elongated head mounted transverse to the shaft on one end, a T-shaped handle removably mounted on the other end, a clevis, an enlarged plate disposed on the shaft and a biasing spring encircling the shaft adapted to bias the plate toward the bar. The mooring device has a locking bar associated therewith which is substantially a planar elongated bar having a wedge shaped offset portion on one end, a T-shaped handle support on the other end and a shaft support intermediate the ends. The offset portion is adapted to be disposed between the planking with a knee of the bar bearing against the top surface of the plate. The locking bar is rotated in the plane of the bar until the offset portion bears against the underside of the plate, the shaft support on the back of the body bears against the shaft and the handle support underlies the T-shaped handle.

Abstract: A device and methods to incrementally tension a line. The fixed end of the line is secured to a load and the free end is wrapped one-and-a-half times around and terminating between a pair of essentially parallel hooks that have the freedom to converge in the gap. When the line is tensioned by applying a force to the device, the hooks are pulled together arresting the movement of the line. The device is then displaced a distance which constitutes one incremental pull. The tensioned line is then cleated off or the load otherwise secured and the device can then be returned to its starting point. The hooks, now relaxed, allow for the accumulated slack to be pulled through them by tensioning the free portion of the line. The process can be repeated until the desired tension is accumulated or the load displaced the required distance. When no more incremental.pi. pulls are required and there is no tension in the line, the line can be easily slipped off the hooks.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cleat for sailboats, motorboats and sailing yachts. The cleat comprises a base plate on which two cleat arms are arranged pivotably mounted. The end sections, facing one another, of the cleat arms, are engaged with one another via a connecting device for the synchronous operation of the cleat arms. The cleat arms can be locked in an upper end position and a lower end position, wherein the cleat arms are arranged in the operational position in the upper end position and in the lower end position are folded down.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cleat cover having a dome shaped body defining an aperture for receiving a cleat therein. Leading into the cleat holding aperture is an opening which allows a rope to pass through the cleat cover to engage the cleat. An insert is attached around the opening to prevent a rope from damaging the cleat cover. The cleat cover has an extended ligature that connects the cleat cover to the cleat.

Abstract: A boat's cleat having opened cord receiving ends with a rail post attachment. Slanted surface grooves within the cleat's opening permit a cord to be squeezed and held therein when subjected to a downward force, like the weight of an attached fender, while an upward force permits the cord's easy removal from the cleat. The post attachment may be a separate member held to the cleat by a hook and screw attachment or may be molded to it as a unitary structure and held to the post by a nut and bolt fastener.

Abstract: The Invention is portable device for holding a mooring line for use during boat docking maneuvers. The device is comprised of a portable, weighted base having a protruding, angled peg, over which is slipped a multi-segmented extension rod. The extension rod has on its top end a hooked section upon which the looped end of a docking line is hung. The device is placed on the surface of a dock near its edge, adjusted for height and fitted with the proper length of mooring line prior to the boat's departure. Upon the craft's return, the mooring line loop is grasped from the device's hooked end by a crewman standing on the deck of the boat, and slipped over a cleat on the boat. The boat's power can then be shut down and its occupants may safely disembark. With this device, the usual need for a crew member to jump from the moving deck of the boat in order to attach docking lines from the dock to the boat, is eliminated.

Abstract: An adjustable load automatic releasing cleat for automatically releasing a rope or line at a predetermined tension load range. A rolling member (26) positioned adjacent to a cam member (30), releases the rope above the set tension range and recleats the rope below the load setting. The amount of load on the line activates the release and cleating mechanisms which are manually overridable.

Abstract: A mooring device adapted for removably attaching a watercraft to a dock is provided. The mooring device comprises an upright pivot shaft having a T-shaped handle on one end and a T-shaped locking bar on the other end. A biasing spring, clevis and tension plate are also mounted on the shaft intermediate the ends, with the T-shaped locking bar being rigidly affixed to the end of the pivot shaft. The tension plate is biased toward the T-shaped locking bar by the biasing spring, with the biasing spring bearing against one side of a support affixed to the upright pivot shaft. One arm of the clevis rests against an opposite side of the support with the other arm of said clevis spaced from the T-shaped handle. The T-shaped handle is firmly affixed to the end of said upright pivot shaft opposite the end having the T-shaped locking bar. The shaft of the mooring device has a locking element associated therewith for lockably attaching the mooring device to the docking platform.

Abstract: An apparatus for fastening a line supporting a fender on a vessel has a body portion defining a first bore extending through the body portion for receiving the line, and a second bore spaced apart from the first bore and extending through the body portion for receiving the line after it is passed through the first bore and wrapped around a rail on the vessel. A handle portion is generally U-shaped for receiving the body portion between opposing sides of the handle portion and is slidable relative to the body portion. A drive arm is pivotally mounted on one end to the body portion, and is coupled on another end to the opposing sides of the handle portion. The drive arm defines a toothed surface and is spring biased for engaging the line extending through the second bore with the toothed surface to lock the line in place. The toothed surface of the drive arm is moved into and out of engagement with the line by moving the handle portion toward and away from the body portion.