Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02875051 2014-12-15
AN APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ATTACHING WATERCRAFT
FIELD OF INVENTION:
[001] This disclosure generally relates to attaching watercraft for rafting or
mooring. In
particular, the disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for rafting one
watercraft to
another watercraft and mooring watercraft to a structure.
BACKGROUND:
[002] The use of watercraft, such as waterski boats, wakeboard boats, fishing
boats and the
like is of increasing popularity. Often times, users like to attach their
watercraft to other
watercraft for various purposes such, as socializing and meals, while floating
on a body of
water. Attaching one floating watercraft to another is referred to as rafting.
[003] While the rafted-watercraft float on the body of water, they are subject
to waves, the
wakes of other boats, tides, and currents that can cause the rafted watercraft
to move relative
to each other. This relative movement increases the risk that the watercraft
will contact each
other and cause damage to one or both of the watercraft.
[004] When moored to a fixed structure, such as a dock, wharf or pier, the
watercraft are
subject to the undulating surface of the water. The undulating of the
watercraft, relative to the
permanent structure, can cause the watercraft to contact the fixed structure,
which may
damage the watercraft.
[005] U.S. 5,499,591 to Chippas teaches a mooring device for boats that can be
used to moor
one watercraft with another. The Chippas device requires an elongated arm with
a hook at one
end and a transverse slot at the other end. The hook is rotatable between an
open and a
closed position to engage a cleat on one boat. A locking mechanism is also
provided that allows
a cleat of another boat to be locked into the slot.
C195g8 12 DOCX,4
CA 02875051 2014-12-15
[006] U.S. 5,634,421 to Velarde teaches a boat-mooring device that can be used
to moor one
watercraft to another. The Velarde apparatus is a tubular spacing device with
a flexible line
that extends through an interior channel of the device. The user can tie the
flexible line into a
loop at one end and secure it to a cleat on each of the two watercraft.
[007] U.S. 7,827,924 and 8,091,499 both to Perez teach a boat-mooring device.
The Perez
devices both have a bar with integral clamps on each end. The integral clamps
engage cleats on
each of the two watercraft for mooring.
[008] U.S. 8,800,461 to Gagan II teaches a boat-mooring device that is useful
for separating
moored watercraft having wakeboard racks. The Gagan II device has two cross
members that
can be tied or secured by bungee cords to the wakeboard racks of each boat. A
boat extender
element is connected to each cross member to distance the moored watercraft
apart.
SUMMARY:
[009] Generally, the invention relates to attaching two or more watercraft to
each other, such
as during rafting. The invention also generally relates to attaching a
watercraft to a fixed
structure, such as a dock, wharf or pier.
[010] Waves, currents, tides and other disturbances in the water can cause
rafted watercraft
to move relative to each other, including towards each other. Of particular
concern are the
waves caused by other watercraft because they can be out of phase with, and
larger than,
naturally occurring waves. During rafting, boaters often position bumpers,
inflatable tubes or
other padded or cushioned articles that are typically found on watercraft to
act as a protective
cushion between the watercraft. However, these protective measures are often
inadequate
and it remains common for rafted watercraft to contact and sometimes damage
each other.
The inadequacy of the typical protective measures and the damage caused is
often accentuated
if the two watercraft are not of a similar size.
C1958812 DOCX,4 2
CA 02875051 2014-12-15
[011] The present invention also provides an apparatus and method of rafting
two watercraft
together that can accommodate the movement of each watercraft relative to the
other while
preventing the two watercraft from coming into contact. Furthermore, the
present invention
provides a way of quickly rafting watercraft together while avoiding any
requirements to tie
knots.
[012] When attaching a watercraft to a permanent structure, boaters are often
challenged by
large pilings that position the dock well above the surface of the water and,
therefore, above
the height of their watercraft. Using a typical approach of ropes and bumpers
may still leave
the watercraft susceptible to damage caused by waves pushing the watercraft
into the dock
and the dock contacting the watercraft above the bumpers.
[013] The present invention provides an apparatus and method of mooring
watercraft to a
permanent structure that accommodates the movement of the watercraft relative
to the
structure. For example, the apparatus maintains a predetermined distance
between the dock
and the watercraft while accommodating the movement of the watercraft on the
water.
[014] The present invention includes at least two examples. Some of the
features of a first
example are shown in Figure 1. Some of the features of a second example are
shown in Figures
2 to 4. At least some of the features depicted in Figures 2 to 4 may also be
used with the first
example.
[015] As described further below, the present invention provides a first
example apparatus for
mooring a first watercraft with a second watercraft. The apparatus comprises a
spacing
member and a plurality of attachment members. The spacing member has a first
end, a second
end and two outer edges that define a width of the spacing member. At least
one attachment
member is connected to each end of the spacing member at each of the two outer
edges. The
attachment members are releasably attachable to the first watercraft at the
first end and the
second watercraft at the second end respectively. The attachment members are
freely
rotatable about each end of the spacing member.
CI958812 DOCX,4 3
CA 02875051 2014-12-15
[016] The present invention also provides a second example apparatus for
mooring a first
watercraft with a second watercraft. This apparatus comprises at least two
spacing members, a
first and second attachment member and a tension system. Each of the at least
two spacing
members have a first end and a second end. The first attachment member is
connected to and
extends from the first end of each of the at least two spacing members. The
first attachment
member is releasably attachable to the first watercraft and freely rotatable
about the first end
of each of the at least two spacing members. The second attachment member is
connected to
and extends from the second end of each of the at least two spacing members.
The second
attachment member is releasably attachable to the second watercraft and freely
rotatable
about the second end of each of the at least two spacing members. The tension
system
generates a tensioning force that contributes towards maintaining the position
of the at least
two spacing members relative to each other.
[017] Both of the first and second example apparatuses can be used to moor a
watercraft to a
permanent structure. All that is required is to secure the attachment members
of one end to
the permanent structure, such as a dock, and the attachment members of the
other end to the
watercraft.
[018] The present invention addresses some shortcomings of the prior art
including a
requirement that a user is proficient in tying knots to secure the mooring
devices to the
watercraft. The present invention maintains a predetermined spacing between
two floating
watercraft while compensating for at least some of the individual movement of
each of the
floating watercraft. In reference to the first example apparatus, the width of
the spacing
member may prevent a bow or stern of one watercraft from contacting the other
watercraft.
The distance between the spacing members of the second example apparatus may
also prevent
the bow or stern of one watercraft from contacting the other watercraft. The
freely rotatably
attachments can compensate for at least some of the relative movement of each
floating
watercraft without reducing, interfering with or impinging upon the
predetermined spacing
between the two floating watercraft
C19588 12 DOCX,4 4
CA 02875051 2014-12-15
[019] The present invention also allows one user to assemble the apparatus,
connect one side
of the apparatus to their watercraft and present the other side of the
apparatus to a second
user in another watercraft without the requirement of tying any knots.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS:
[0201 Various examples of the apparatus are described in detail below, with
reference to the
accompanying drawings. The drawings may not be to scale and some features or
elements of
the depicted examples may purposely be embellished for clarity, Similar
reference numbers
within the drawings refer to similar or identical elements. The drawings are
provided only as
examples and, therefore, the drawings should be considered merely illustrative
of the present
invention and its various aspects, embodiments and options. The drawings
should not be
considered limiting or restrictive as to the scope of the invention.
[021] Figure 1 is a top plan view of an example of an apparatus for mooring
two watercraft
together.
[022] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a further example of an apparatus for
mooring two
watercraft together.
[023] Figure 3 is a top plan view of the apparatus of Figure 2.
[024] Figure 4 is a side elevation, partial cut-away view of an example of a
connector for use
with the apparatus of Figure 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION:
[025] The present invention provides an apparatus for attaching a watercraft
to another
structure. The other structure may be another watercraft, for example during
rafting, or the
other structure may be a fixed structure that is fixed to the earth, either
permanently or not,
within a body of water, for example a dock, wharf or pier. The apparatus
comprises a spacing
member and a plurality of attachment members. The spacing member has opposite
first and
C1958812 DOCX,4 5
second ends and a width that is defined by two outer edges. Optionally, the
width of the
spacing member is adjustable so that each outer edge can be aligned with
connectors on the
other structure. The attachment members are releasably attachable to the first
watercraft at
the first end of the spacing member and the other structure at the second end
of the spacing
member, respectively. The attachment members are freely rotatable, through all
degrees of
freedom, between the spacing member and the respective watercraft.
[026] Figure 1 depicts one example of a boat mooring apparatus 10 for mooring
a first
watercraft 100a with a second structure 100b. For example the second structure
100b may be
another watercraft or a fixed structure such as a dock, a wharf or a pier. The
apparatus 10
comprises a spacing member 12 and a plurality of attachment members 16,
illustrated by way
of example as members 16a and 16b. The spacing member 12 has two opposite ends
32 that
define a length "L" of the spacing member 12 therebetween. The spacing member
12 has two
outer edges 34 that define a width "W" of the spacing member 12 therebetween.
The spacing
member 12 may for example, as illustrated, be a rigid sheet, although this is
not intended to be
limiting. The rigid sheet may or may not be longer than it is wide.
[027] Figure 2 depicts a second example of a boat mooring apparatus 10' that
comprises at
least two elongate spacing members 12' in the form of a first member and a
second member..
Each spacing member 12' has an attachment member 16 connected at each of its
opposite ends
32. While Figure 1 depicts one spacing member 12 and Figure 2 depicts two
spacing members
12', this is not intended to be limiting as one, two or more spacing members
will also work.
[028] The spacing members 12, 12' are substantially rigid which allows the
spacing members
12, 12' to maintain a minimum, or predetermined, distance between the first
watercraft 100a
and the second structure 100b. The spacing members 12, 12' are made of a
substantially rigid
material so that the distance between the two ends 32 does not vary while the
apparatus is in
use. For example, the spacing members 12, 12' can be made of wood, rigid
polymers, rigid
resins, metals, metal alloys, rigid polyvinyl chloride, rolled metal-sheets,
fiberglass or
combinations and composites of these, or other rigid materials which provide
the separating
=
E3576587 DOCX; 1 6
CA 2875051 2017-12-04
CA 02875051 2014-12-15
function. Depending upon the forces generated by one of the rafted watercraft
100a, b as it
moves relative to the other watercraft, the spacing member 12, 12' may flex or
bend. Such
resiliency may be advantageous to help, for example, absorb any shock loading
as such flexing
or bending will be temporary for resilient material of appropriate strength
and will not
appreciably change the length of the spacing member 12, 12'.
[029] The length of the spacing member 12, 12' defines the predetermined
distance between
the moored watercraft 100a, b. In one example, the spacing members 12, 12' has
a length in a
range between about 100 cm and about 160 cm. Optionally, the spacing members
12, 12' may
have an adjustable length, such as with a telescopic arrangement and a locking
mechanism
that, when engaged, maintains the length of the spacing members 12, 12' while
in use. When
the lock mechanism is disengaged, a user can retract the spacing members 12,
12' to facilitate
storage.
[030] As stated above and as depicted in Figure 1, the outer edges 34 of the
spacing member
12 are spaced apart to define a width W of the spacing member 12. When the
spacing member
12, 12' is mounted between watercraft 100a and the second structure 100b, the
width W, W'
overlaps with, i.e. it is juxtaposed along, a mid-portion of the length of the
watercraft 100a.
The outer edges 34 may be spaced apart at such a distance that the attachment
members 16
can attach to the watercraft 100a and the second structure 100b at positions
that help prevent
contact between the watercraft 100a and the second structure 100b if there is
relative
movement between the first watercraft 100a and the second structure 100b. For
example, the
outer edges 34 of the spacing member 12 may substantially align with one or
more cleats 104a,
b on the respective watercraft 100a and the second structure 100b. The cleats
104a, b are
typically fixed to a sidewall of the hull or upper decking of the 100a and the
second structure
100b, typically near, or on, the gunwale. However, the cleats 104a, b may be
positioned in
different positions depending upon the manufacture of the watercraft 100a and
the second
structure 100b.
CI958812 DOCX,4 7
[031] Because the distance between the cleats 104a, b can vary among different
watercraft,
such that the width W of the spacing member 12 is substantially equal to, the
distance W'
between the first and second spacing members 12'. In this case, the width W of
the spacing
member 12 can be adjusted, as would be understood by those skilled in the art,
so that the
outer edges of the spacing member 12 can substantially align with the cleats
104a, b.
[032] Figures 2 to 4 depict the second example of a boat mooring apparatus
10'. In apparatus
10', the spacing member collectively refers to two substantially parallel,
elongate spacing
members 12' and the two outer edges 34 coincide with their respective spacing
members 12'.
In other examples of the boat mooring apparatus 10', there may be more than
two spacing
members 12'.
[033] In both examples of the boat mooring apparatuses 10, 10', the attachment
members 16
are releasably attachable to the watercraft 100a, b. In the example of Figure
1, the attachment
members 16 are connected to the ends 32 of the spacing members 12, near to or
at each outer
edge 34. In the example of Figure 2, the attachment members 16 are connected
to ends 32 of
spacing members 12'. Figure 4 depicts one example of the attachment members 16
that are
fixed within a connector 20 that is connected at each end 32 of the spacing
members 12'. The
attachment members 16 are each formed as a loop that is attachable to the
cleats 104a, b on
the first watercraft 100a and the second structure 100b. The attachment
members 16 are able
to rotate freely about the ends 32 of the spacing member 12.
[034] The attachment members 16 can be a flexible cord, webbing, string or
rope that is made
from a braided or woven fabric. The fabric can be natural, such as cotton and
flax, or synthetic,
such as nylon, polyester or polypropylene. In another example, the attachment
members 16
can be a solid flexible body or a hollow flexible body that is formed by an
extrusion process or
otherwise,
[035] The phrases "freely rotate" and "freely rotatable" are used herein as a
reference to the
ability of the end of the attachment members 16 that is not connected to the
spacing member
E3576587 DOCX;1 8
CA 2875051 2017-12-04
CA 02875051 2014-12-15
12, 12' to rotate in all degrees of freedom about the point of connection with
the spacing
member 12, 12' (see arrows in Figure 4). This free rotation may be caused by
and compensate
for some independent movement of the watercraft 100a relative to watercraft
100b, and vice
versa. For example, if the watercraft 100a, b moves vertically, such as caused
by a wave, the
attachment member 16 will rotate accordingly. Similarly, if the watercraft
100a, b moves
horizontally, for example, in response to a current in the body of water, the
attachment
member 16 will rotate accordingly. This free rotation of the attachment
members 16 may
compensate for at least some of the forces that are exerted on the cleats
104a, b when the
watercraft 100a, b move relative to each other.
[036] The adjustable width W of the spacing member 12 and the adjustable
distance W'
between the spacing members 12' allows the attachment members 16 to be a
desired length.
The length of the attachment members 16 refers to the length of the loop
formed by the
attachment members 16 (see dimension line X in Figure 4). In one example, the
attachment
members 16 can be a length in a range of about 50 mm to about 250 mm. In
another example,
the attachment members 16 can be a length in a range of about 75 mm to about
200 mm.
Preferably, the attachment members 16 are about 150 mm long. If the attachment
members
are too long, the ends 32 may be able to move with too great a degree of
freedom. For
example, the ends 32 could rise above the gunwale and injure a passenger as
the watercraft
buck and/or yaw. Alternatively if the attachment members 16 are too short then
they will not
be able to compensate for the relative movement of the watercraft 100a, b.
This may lead to
undesirable loads being imposed upon the cleats 104a, b and the points where
the attachment
members 16 connect to the spacing members 12, 12'.
[037] In another example of the boat mooring device 10, 10 the spacing member
12, 12' can
also include bumpers 14 that are positioned at or near the ends 32 to absorb
some or all of the
impact of either of the watercraft 100a, b contacting the spacing member 12,
12'. The bumpers
14 may be elastomeric bodies and that are made from various materials that
have viscous and
elastic properties such as, for example: unsaturated rubbers, saturated
rubbers and
thermoplastic elastomers. In one example, the bumpers 14 are made from
polyethylene foam.
C1958812 DOCX,4 9
CA 02875051 2014-12-15
[038] As depicted in Figures 2 and 3, the boat mooring apparatus 10' further
includes a
connector 20 and a tension system 22.
[039] The connector 20 is fixed to each end 32 of the spacing member 12'. The
connector 20
has a tubular portion with a hollow channel that fits over the end 32 of the
spacing member
12'. The connecter 20 can be fixed to the ends 32 by at least one of adhesive,
sonic welding,
friction fit and additional connectors such as pins or wraps. Optionally, the
connector 20 can be
manufactured to be integral with the ends 32 so that the spacing member 12' is
of a monolithic
construction that includes the connecter 20 at each end 32. A portion of the
attachment
member 16 can also be housed within the hollow channel of the connector 20.
For example,
during manufacturing of the boat-mooring device 10, the attachment member 16
may be
passed through the hollow channel to form the loop and a knot can hold the
attachment
member 16 within the connector 20. The bumper 14 may also have a hollow
channel to
accommodate the attachment member 16 passing therethrough.
[040] The bumper 14 may be positioned adjacent to the tubular portion of the
connector 20.
The bumper 14 may be an integral part of the connector 20, or not. Preferably,
the bumper 14
is not integral with the connector 20 but the bumper 14 is connected to one
end of the
connector 20. This preferred arrangement permits the bumper 14 and the
connector 20 to be
constructed of different materials. As described above, the bumper 14 can be
constructed
from various materials that have viscous and elastic properties. The connector
20 can be
constructed from more rigid materials than the bumper 14. For example, the
connector 20 may
also include an extension 28 with an inner edge that defines an aperture 30
therethrough. The
aperture 30 can receive a tension connector 26 of the tension system 22. The
connector 20 is
made from materials that are sufficiently rigid to withstand the forces
exerted by the tension
system 22 on the inner edge of the extension 28 that defines the aperture 30.
[041] The tension system 22 provides an adjustable tension force between the
two spacing
members 12'. In the example depicted in Figures 2 and 3, the tension system 22
comprises two
tension straps 23 and two tensioning members 24. Each tension strap 23 is
connected at one
C1958812 DOCX,4 10
CA 02875051 2014-12-15
end to each end 32 of the spacing members 12'. The tension straps 23 cross
over each other at
a midway point so as to form an x-shape. In one example of the tension system
22, the tension
straps 23 are connected to the connector 20 via a tension connector 26. The
tension connector
26 can be stitched or sewn, a hook, a maillon, a carabineer or other type of
connector that does
not require the user to tie a knot to attach the tension straps 23 to the
spacing members 12'. In
one example, the tension connector 26 is selectively releasable, although this
is not intended to
be limiting.
[042] The tension straps 23 can be a cord, webbing, string or rope that is
made from a braided
or woven fabric. The fabric can be natural, such as cotton and flax, or
synthetic, such as nylon,
polyester or polypropylene. The tensioning members 24 can selectively adjust
the tension
across the tension straps 23. For example, the tension members 24 can be
fasteners, linking
devices, tie downs, cam buckles or ratchets that can increase or decrease the
tension across the
tension straps 23.
[043] Optionally, the spacing members 12, 12' may further include a float 60
(shown by
hashed lines in Figure 3) that is made from a buoyant material, such as
polyethylene foam. The
float 60 prevents the boat mooring apparatus 10, 10' from sinking in the body
of water 50 if it is
dropped.
[044] In operation, a first user 110a of one watercraft 100a attaches the
attachment members
16 to the cleats 104a. The first user 110a holds the rest of the boat mooring
apparatus 10, 10'
above the surface of the body of water 50. When used for rafting, the other
watercraft 100b is
positioned alongside the watercraft 100a. The first user can move, for example
lower or raise,
the distal end of the boat mooring apparatus 10, 10' so that a second user
110b in the other
watercraft 100b can receive the attachment members 16 that are opposite to
those attached to
watercraft 100a. The second user can then attach the attachment members 16 to
cleats 104b
so as to complete the rafting together of the two watercraft. When used for
mooring the first
watercraft 100a to a fixed structure, such as a dock, wharf or pier, the
distal end of the
apparatus 10 is lowered so that the corresponding attachment members 16 may be
mounted to
C1958812 DOCX,4 11
CA 02875051 2014-12-15
the cleats (or other mooring fixture) on the fixed structure. Thus the first
watercraft 100a and
the second water craft (during rafting) or the fixed structure (during
mooring) are attached
together at a predetermined space apart from each other.
[045] When using the boat mooring apparatus 10', and when all of the
attachment members
16 are attached, a further step of generating tension in tension straps 23 may
be taken by
whichever user is closest to the tension members 24. That user can actuate the
tension
member 24 to increase the tension across the tension straps 23 until the
desired tension to
produce a rigidly cross-braced frame is achieved to produce the desired
rafting or mooring.
[046] While the above disclosure describes certain examples and options of the
present
invention, various further modifications to the described examples and options
will also be
apparent to those skilled in the art. The scope of the claims should not be
limited by the
examples and options provided above; rather, the scope of the claims should be
given the
broadest interpretation that is consistent with the disclosure as a whole.
C1958812 DOCX,4 12
