Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
Cleat HoldinQ Device
Field of the_biverrtion
This iitvention relates to a holding dctTice for a rope, cable, wire and the
like, and
more particularly to a sliding cam rope cleat having a slicieable cam niember
for
selectively locking and releasing; the sliduig cain and in turn locking aud
releasing a
Background of the Invcntion
A broad range of cleat devices have been developed for holding ropes, cables
and
wires aizd the like hereafter referred to as rnpe. The purpose of these cleat
devices is
to permit the hoiding of a rope between two points in a secure manner as to
overcoine
tensional resistance.
Qne such cleat device includes a cleat having a carn with a passa;evvay
adapted to
receive a i-ope. The cleats function by allowing a rope to be freel}F drawn
through a
passageway in oile direction and conversely pinching the rope if drawn in the
opposite
direction.
Uaiited States Patent No; 5,548,$73 issued on Au;gust 27, 1996 to Macias and
relates
to a7i i iproved anti-lcelcing; cleat for rope, cable, and the like including
a housing, a
rotatable generally spherically-shaped engaging metnber, a biasing means and a
positioning means. The housing ilicludes an elongated base, a first passageway
geiierally circular in cross-section and extending traverse to the length of
the base. A
chamber is fornzed in the base and is disposed adjacent one side of the fii-st
passageway. A length of rope is drawn through the first passageway in either a
first
ai~~~. oppositely directed second direction. The rotatable engaging member is
pivotally
niountcd within the cliarnber and is positionable at either a firstor a second
position.
The niember is biased into the first position by the biasing mGans and is
manually
positionable, via the pos,'tioning means, into the second position, When the
ineznber
is in the first position it partialiy blocks the passageway and engagingly
contacts the
rope such that the rope may be freely drawn through the passageway in the
first
direction but not in the second direction. When the member is in the second
position
it docs not block the passageway and does not engagingly contact the iope,
such th-at
the rope may be freely pulled through the passageway in either the first or
the second
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directions_ The device disclosed is complicated in design and whose function
is based
on the rotational motion of'a cam device with the assistance of a spring.
Lindquist is the owner of U.S. Patent No. 4,278,042 which issued on July 14,
1981.
This patent relates to a cam cleat designed to sectire sheets, halyards, lines
etc.
introduced into it on boats. The cam, cleat includes two pa.rts moving
respectively,
towards and away f'roni each other, the faces of these parts which face each
other
being serrated, and these parts being so designed that they adopt a fixed
position and a
free position and are so pivoted that when they rotate in the same direction
they eitlzer
move towards each other or away from other. These parts arespring-loaded in
such a
I('1 way that the first of the parts strives to adopt the free position and
the other of these
parts strive to adopt the fixed position. Ftizther, the first of these parts
can be locked
in the fixed position by an eccentric control device. The first part is
pivoted about a
point in such a way that when rotated from the fixed position to the fi;ee
position its
serrations tend to detcnsion a line in the cant cleat. The device disclosed is
comprised
of two cam nlembers and a cani control device release lever azid requires the
assistance of multiple torsion springs and pressure springs to furtction
Brown is the owner of U.S. Patent No. 5,133,111 which issued on July 28,1992,
This
patent relates to a device itzcluding a base plate having a rope receiving
surface
portion along and against which the rope travels, a cam pivotally coxinected
to the
base plate, and a plurality of protrusions extending generally radially
outwardly from
the surface of the cam. Tho device disclosed is complicated in design and
whose
function is based on the rotational motion of a cam device about a pivot
point.
McCloud is the owner oftJ.S, Patent No. 4,217,847 which issued on August 19,
1980.
This patent relates to a self-:release cam cleat and further relates to a rope
holding
device includittg an iniproved cam cleat useful on a sailboat for maintaining
sail ropes
taut. The improved cam cleat cflntains two cani-type jaws to Oip the rope, one
of
which has a serrated or tooth-like surface for gripping, while the other lias
a smooth-
gripping surface which permits casy rotation of the smooth cam member to the
release
position. The smootli cam member has an arcuate face with a radius of
cuzvature for
the gripping surface. substatltaally greater than the smooth face of the
release s rface
adjacent it. Consequently, when the smooth surface release cam is pivoted so
that the
retained rope is slipped from the smooth gripping surface to the smooth
releasing
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surfa.ce, the rope is automatically released without though need fbr the
operator to
exert a force on the rope to pull it away fronz the cam cleat as is usually
done. This
cam design lacks a covering or housing, such that the rope may be accidentally
pulled
froni the passageway thereby disongaging the cleat mechanisrn:and releasing
the rope.
US. patent No. 6,505,384 B1 issued to, Renton et al on January 14, 2003. This
patent
relates to an apparatus for gripping a flexible elongated member including a
housing
having a tase; a leve~ pivotally connected to the housing, and a gripping
component
having a gripping member. The lever is pivotally contiected to the housing,
and the
gripping cornpotient is maunted so as to be movable relative to the housing.
The
gripping cQniponent, 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 grippingflr releasing the
elongated
member. The device disclosed is complicated in design. and whose function is
based
on the rotational rnotioit of acam device about a pivot point.
Thus there is. a need for a cleat device that rninimizes the number of
internal moving
parts while maintaining the inherentprotectiQn of a housing device.
Surnmary of the Invention
In accordance with one aspect of the present inventitan a holding device for a
rope,
cable, wire and the lik:e(hereafter rope):in an attached housing isprovided.
2p In accordance with anothe;r aspect of the present inveatipn a holding
device
comprising a housing i-nea,ns with a passage therethrough, a cam member aixd a
sliding
cam me,mtber disposed within said housing means for movement between a first
position with the cam rnernber out of the passage and a second position where
the cam
;n=tember partly obStructs the passage:
,Irt accerdance with yet anothcr aspect of the present inventicrn a holding
device far a
rope mak-ing use of a slidsng cam member that is capable of moveinent in s
substantially linm direction is provided.
Another aspect of the present invention relates to a holding means
ctttnprising a first
member and a second rrtcmber engageable with the frst member in such a nlar-
ner as
to define a cavity for the catn mernber..
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In accordance with yet another aspect of the preseiit invention a holding
device and
method that permits the insertion and drawing of a rope article in the first
direction,
thereby engaging the serrated gripping edge of the sliding cam member in such
a
manner as to permit movement of the rope in the first direction but to oppose
movement of the inserted rope in the opposite or second direction.
Yet another aspect of the present invention, relates to a sliding cam member
which is
engageable by a slideable member that tnay lock and release the position of
the
sliding cam and in turn quickly lock and release the inserted rope a.rticle.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention a cleat for a
rope
comprising a first housing member engageable with a second housing member in
such
a manner as to defukc a cavity therein; a passageway disposed through the
first
housing member and conlmunicating with the cavity; a cam meniber disposed with
the cavity for sliding movement between a first position permitting itisertion
and
withdrawal of a rope through the passageway and a second position clarnping
the rope
between the cam member and the first housing member.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Fig.1 is a perspective view of the flat bottomed holding device.
Fig. 2 is a perspective view oFthe flat bottomed holding device with the
holding platc
rotated 90 degrees.
Fig. 3 is a side view of figure 1.
Fig. 4 is a side view of figure 2.
Fig. 5 is an exploded view of the ciuved bottom liolding device.
Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the curved bottom holding device.
Fig. 7A is a partial cross-sectional view of the ourved bottom holdinb device
witli the
cani in the clamping position.
Fig. 7B is a partial cross-sectional view of the curved bottom holding device
with the
cam in the open position.
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Fig. 8 is a side view of the rnountedcurved bottom liolding device.
Fig. 9Ais a perspective view of the cam.
Fig. 9B is a side view of the cam.
Fig. 9C is a top view of the cam.
Fig. 10A is an iraside perspective view of the first housing mernber of the
holding
device.
Fig. I aB is a side view of the first housing inember of the holding device.
Ffg. IOC is an inside view of the first housing meniber of the holding device:
Fig. I1 is a fullcross-sectionai view of the mounted curved bottom holding
device.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodinzent
In thc drawings, preferred embodiinents of the invention are illustrated by
way of
exa7nple. It is to be expressly understood that the description and drawings
are only
for tlie purpose of illustration and as an aidto un:derstanding, and are not
intended as a
definition of the limits of the invention.
The present invention can be readily realized in one of two embodiments, a
flat
bottomed embodiment (see pig. 1) and a curved bottom embodiment (see Fig. 5).
)~'ig, 1. is a perspective view- of the flat bottom holding device 2. As
further expounded
upon, the liolding device 2 is comprised of a first housing member 1 and a
second
housing member 3. The housitig members 1 and 3 are fastened together creating
a
passageway 33 that is adapted to receive the rope rnember 41. Of special
interest in
the flat bottomed embodiment is the holding plate 80_ The holcling plate 80
consists
of two crossed chatlnels which intersect in the centre of the plate forming a
cross
shape 86, 88: The channels 86, 88 engagingly interact with the bottomof the
housing
member 3 in such a manner as to increase the stability of the entire holding
device 2.
In addition, due to the crossed nature of the channels 86, 88, the housing
member 3
maybe be secured in four different orientations depending on the placement cf
tlle
housing membcr 3 within the channels 86, 88. The holding device 2 is also
affixed to
the holding plate 80 via a threaded hole track 90 (see Fig 3). The holding
plate 80 is
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_ 6 ;
also cotnprised of two apertures 82, 84 to permit the mounting of'the holding
plate 80
via two sczews on a flat surface.
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the flat bottom holding device 2 with the
holding plate
rotated 90 degrees as compared to Fig. 1. Fig. 2 is similar in nature to Fig.
I however
the holding device 2 is mounted onto the liolding plate 80 in the opposite
orientation
i.e_ the housing member 3 is interacting with channel 88 as opposed to channel
86 in
Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a side view #~` hgt,tre 1. rig, 3 clearly illustrates the central
threaded hole 90
to which fasten the holding plate 80 with the holding device 2.
Fig. 4 is a side view of figure 2 where the flat bottomed hold'uig devicc with
the flat
bottom plate is rotated 90 degrees relative figure 3. Similar in nature to
Fig. 3, Fig. 4
further illustrates the two apertures 82, 84 to permit the mounting of the
holding plate
80 via two screws on a flat surface.
Fig. 5 is an exploded view of the curved bottom holding device 2 as mounted on
a
cvlindrical rail 57 illustrated herein. Figure 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 are similar in
fu.nction,
and the following description relates top figure 1-5.
The holding device 2 is comprised of a first housing member 1 and a second
housing
member 3. The housing members I and 3 are fastened together creating a
passageway
33 that is adapted to receive the rope; i-nernber 41.
The housing members 1 and 3 when fastcned t!ogether define an iuiterior cavity
34
which receives a canl mmber 5. Two holes 9 and 21 are formed in the first
liousin;
member I and pernnit t-wo screws 7 and 19 to secure the first housing meniber.
1 with
the second housing member 3 by way of bore hole 11 and boxe hole 23 disposed
at
either end of the secoiid housing meinber 3.
As mentioned the first housing member 1 and the second housing member 3 engage
in
such a rnanner as to define a passageway therethraugh 33. To assist the
engagerneiit
bemFeen the two housing inembers, the first housing member includes a lip 35
and the
second housing member 3 itlcludes a channel 37 and a ridge 39 that is
engageable
with the lip 35 from the first housing mernber1.
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The two liousiiig members define a passageway 33 that is disposed at ata acute
angle
"A" relative to the hotizontal. The cam member 5 is disposed within the cavity
33
and can be manipulated by meatis of a handle 13. The handle 13 is fastened
tothe
cam 5 by way of bore liole 17 and protrudes through a slot 15 disposed in the
first
housing member 1 as shown. The handle 13 is slideable and free to move in a
substantially linear path as dictated by slot 15 between the first position
(as shownin
figure 7B) with the canl member 5 out ofthe passageway 33 thereby permitting
the
insertion and withdrawal of the rope 41 and the second position (shown in
figure 7A)
with the cam member 5 ohstructing the passageway 33 and thereby clanaping the
rope
41 between the cam member 5 and the bottom of the passageway 33.
The holding device 2 can include a second passageway 43 t,ransversely formed
therethrough for receiving the end of the rope 41. The rope 41is drawn into
the first
passageway 33 and can be securely held therein by Nvay of the casn member 5
and its
placement within the first passageway 33. The second passageway 43 is
predominately an accessory passageway and may be used to house any slack in
the
rope 41. The second passageway is generally circular in cross section and can
include
a groove 42 wliich is adapted to receive an insert 27 asshown. The insert 27
may be
acted upon by a screw 28 inserted at 44, which when tightened, causes the
insert 27 to
dimple and apply pressure on the inserted rope slack 41, thereby securing it
in place.
111 the opposite manner, when the screw 28 is loosened, the pressure on the
rope slack
41 is reduced thereby allowing it to be freely removed, it should also be
noted that
the flat bottomed embodiment oÃthe holding device 2 as shown in Fig:1, also
permits
the insert 27 to be acted upon by a screw 93 inserted at 95, however the
orientation is
adjusted and the insert 27 is mounted on the roof of the second passageway 43.
Similarly the screw 93 acts upon the insert 27 along the vertical axis as
depicted an
Fig. 3.
The cam member 5 can be controlled by the sliding handle 13 on the side of the
holding device 2_ If the slidiiig handle 13 is positioned in the open or first
position,
the cain }-ilcmber 5 is not obstructing the passageway 33 and the rope 41
maybe freely
drawn therein. If the slidinghandle 13 is positioned in the clamping position
or the
second position, the cam member 5 would partially obstructthe passageway 33
and
the tapered serrated edge of the cam member 6 would engage and grip the rope
41 in a
secured manner. The secured ananner could be described as a self locking
manner and
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by virtue of ttie slidiitg handle 13, the; holding device also possess a quick
release.
Once the slidiiig handle 13 returns to the open position or the first
positicii 53, the
tapered serrated edge of the cam member 6 no longer engages the rope 41 and
the
rope 41may be freely drawn or freely rernoved.
Yn the preferred embodiment, the holding device 2 is mounted to a
cylindricalrail 57.
'To assist the engagetMent and sul.isequent fastening of the holdizig device 2
to the
cylindrieal rail57, the bottom surface of the holdiitg device 2 may posses a
curved arc
tIiat min ors the curved path of the upper surface of the cylindrieal rait 57:
Further
detailed in Fig. l 1 the holding device 2 can be mounted to a rail 57 via
three screws
25,29,31. Fig: 6 is a perspective view of the eurved bottom bokiing clt;vice
2; the preferred
einbodiment of the present invention mounted to a cylindrical rail 57 as
illustrated in
)~ ig. 5. Fig. 6 depicts the holdang device 2 as a siVje unit. Both bousing
members 1
and 3 have canie together in such a manner that the channel 37 and ridgc 39
disposed
on the second housing meniber 3 engage with tlie lip 35 disposed on the first
housing
member 1.
The passageway 33 is clearly visible as the product of the engagement of the
first
housing menzb'er I with the second housing member 3. The rope 41 is depicted
as
being drawn tliraugh the passagev~ ay 33. It should be noted that the rope 41
is free to
be drawn throhgh the first passageway 33 because the sliding handle 13 is in
its fitst
position 53 whcreby the cam member 5 is largely out of the passageway 33. .lf
the
sliding handle 13 were depi.etcd inir.s second position 51 wheir6y. the cam
member 5:
is obstructing the passageway 33, the rope 41 could not be freely drawn.
Fig. 7A is a partial cross-sectiona'l view ofthe hotding device 2 with the cam
n-iember
5 in the clamping position_ Fig. 7A depicts:.the cam member 5 ib its second
position
or the clamped ipositioti. The sliding handle 13 (not shown) has been. nioved
to its
second position and as: a result the cam, raember 5 is in its second position
51 or the
clamped position. Ot1ee the cam member 5 is in its second position, the
tapered
serrated edge of the carn member 6 engages and grips the rope 41 in a secured
rnanner; As depicted in Fig. 7A, the tapered serrated edge of the cam member 6
is
disposed in a substantially parallel manner to the axis of the first
passageway 33.
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Fig. 7B is a partial cross-sectional view afthe curved bottom holding device
with the
cam member 5 in the open position. Fig. 7B depicts the cam member 5 in its
first
position or open position. The sliding handle 13 (nQt shown) has been moved to
its
first position and as a result the cam member 5 is in its first position or
the open
pqsition. Once the cam member 5 is in its first positiori 53, the tapered
serrated edge
of the cam member 6 is zio longer capable of engagingly gripping the rope 41
and as a
result, the rope41 is freely capable to be drawn back through the first
passageway 33.
Fig. 8 is a side view of themounted curved bottom holding device, Fig. 8
clearly
depicts the sliding handle 13 protrutiing from the first housing member of the
holding
device. The engagenient between the lip 35 ofthe first housing member I and
the
channei 37 and ridge 39 of the seeand housing member 3 is shown. In addition,
the
two passageways 33, 43 are both clearly displayed.
Fig. 9A is a perspective view of the cam nzember 5. As depicted, the cam
member 5
is a quadrilateral shape with two sides parallel with the vertical 8, 10, a
flat top side
parallel with the horizontal 12 (not shown) and a tapered senrated bottom 6
witb
gripping means onee the cam member 5 eixgagingly makes contact with an
inserted
rope 41 (not shown). The angle of the tapered serrated bottom 6 is disposed in
a
substanliallyr parallel manner to the axis ofthe first passageway 33 (not
shown). Also
visiblein Fig. 9A is the threadcd bore hole 17 by which the sliding handle 13
engages
the cam member S.
Fig. 9B is a side view of the cam member 5. The side view clearly demonstrates
the
angle of tapcred serrated bottoin 6 of the cam member 5. Once the eani member
5 is
in its second position 51 the tapered serrated bottom 6 engagingly grips the
inserted
rope 41 (not shown).
Fig. 9C is a top view of the cam member 5. The top view of the cam
demonstrates the
two sides of the cam member 5 that are parallel with the vertical 8, 10 as
well as
displaying the flat top side that is parallel with the horizontal 12. Tn
addition, the
depth of the bore hole 1.7 can be viewed.
Fig 1QA demonstrates the portion of the passageway 33 that is formed by the
first
housing mernber 1. In addition the view further illustrates the restricted
linear path of
the sliding handle 13 (not shown) due to its placement in the slat 15.
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Fig, 10B is a side view of the first housing member I of the ktolding der-ice
2. The
side view of the first hoiisin.g member 1 best illustrates thc lip 35 that
a:rticul:ates with
the channel 37 and the, ridge 39 of the second housing member 3. In addition,
the side
view further illustra.tes the acute angle of the passageway 33 that is formed
by the two
housing i-nembers 1, 3.
Fig, IOC shows the first housing member 1 of the holding device 2.
Fig. 11 is a full cross-sectional view of the moL1 nted holding device 2,
Apart from
detailing the substantially linear motion of the cam member 5 due to the
sliding
aperture 15. Fig. 7 also highlights the mounting of the holding device2 onto
the rail
57 prcfcrred embodiinezit. The housing device 2 is mounted via three screws25,
29,
31. Screw 25 bolts the housing device 2 to the rail 57 from the top and screws
29 and
31 fix the housing device 2 to the rail 57 from the inside of the rail 57. In
addition,
the preferred embodiment depicts the housing device 2 being niounted to a rail
57 and
subsequently tnounted to a revolute joint 59. As depicted in Fig. 5 and Fig.
11, the
revolute joint 59 is comprised of two members 61 and 63 fixed by a screw 65
which
engages with threaded hole 60. It addition it should be noted that the rail
57, may be
apen ended at 58 to permit the insertion of a device such as a fishing rod.
The other
end (from #58) tias a rod extending through the centre to hold the flahing rod
in place.
However other zneans could be used to retain the fishing rod handle in the
cylindrical
holder. The rai157 would be able to rotate through the range of motion defined
by the
engagement ofniernbers 61 and 63 permitting the fishing rod to be positioned
in a
desired position<
The housing device 2 may be fastened to an assortinentof surfaces; flat
surfaces such
as a wall or a deck as described in Figs. 1-4, or curvilinear surfaces such as
the
preferred embodiment of the rail 57 as described in Figs 5-11. Depending on
the
desired fastening surface, the bottom surface of the housing device 2 may be
adjusted
accordingly to assist the engagement and fastening of the housing device 2_
Accordingly the present inventiort describes a cleat for a rope comprising a
first
housing member 1 engageable with a second hausing.member 3 so as to define a
cavity or passageway 33. In addition the cleat is comprised of a cazn member 5
that is
disposed within said passageway 33 for sliding movement between a first
position 53
and a second position 51 clamping the rope 41 between the ca.rn rnernber 5 and
the
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botto m of the passageway 33 formed by the engagement of the first housing
metnber
1 and the second housing member 3.
Lastly the present invention descn-bes a method for holding a rope with a
device
having a housing 2 with a passageway 33 therethrough and a sliding cam member
S
disposed in said passageway 33 for sliding movement from a first position 53
out of
the passageway 33 for insertion of a rope member 41, to a second position 51
into the
passageway 33 thereby engagingly clamp the cam member 5 to the rope member 41,
and returning to the first position 53 out of the passageway 33 for removal of
the rope
member 41 in the passageway 33.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other variations of
the preferred
embodiment may also be practised without departing from the scope ofthe
invention.
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