Boat Fenders With Internal Rope Storage Capacity

This invention relates to an improved boat fender. In particular, it relates to a boat fender provided with internal rope storage capacity, and associated means for the quick facile storage of rope within the boat fender, and release of same for normal use of the boat fender.

It has long been the practice in the operation of working craft, i.e., fishing boats, tugboats, trawlers, and the like, to employ "boat fenders" constituted of old automotive tires hung from the deck by ropes to prevent contact between the hull and the dock, or wharf, to which the boat is moored. On pleasure crafts, and yachts, more sophisticated devices are used for this purpose although the serve precisely the same function, or purpose. Presently used boat fenders are of many colors, shapes and designs. Typically boat fenders are of elongate shape and the outer surface esthecally pleasing to the eye. Boat fenders are commonly constructed of an elastomeric material, typically a flexible or semi-flexible plastic, e.g., a heavy gauge polyvinyl chloride resin; sometimes with solid polyvinyl chloride ends for reinforcement. Most are inflatable to better absorb shocks, bumps or jolts. Most are designed, or shaped to roll instead of rub to maximize protection to the hull. Some are covered to protect the fender itself, thus providing protection for both the fender and the hull. Many are designed to hang vertically, horizontally, or for stringing together to replace fender boards.

The difficulty with present boat fenders is that the rope hangs onto the deck after an end is tied to a rail, post or cleat. The extra length of rope hangs onto, or is piled upon the deck thus presenting at best an unsightly appearance, and always a hazard to passersby. Fender mounts, wherein the boat fenders are offset away from passageways only a partial solution to this problem. Thus, even when the boat fenders are removed for storage in lockers, or fender racks, the loose lengths of rope used for attaching the fenders to the rail, post or cleat, present an unsightly appearance, as well as a tripping hazard.

It is, accordingly, a primary object of this invention to provide a boat fender having internal rope storage capacity.

In particular, it is an object to provide a boat fender providing the desirable functions of present boat fenders of advanced design, but having in addition an internal capacity for storing rope.

A further and more specific object is to provide means for latching or securing the rope in place within its internal storage area, and means for quick facile release of the stored rope when need for the stored rope arises.

These objects and others are achieved in accordance with the present invention, characterized as apparatus embodying a boat fender provided with an internal chamber within which rope can be stored, and preferably also associated means for quick facile input of rope to the chamber, and release of a predetermined length thereof for normal use of the boat fender.

The boat fender, which in normal use is hung by a rope from a hitching device alongside the hull of the craft, is comprised of an enclosing shell, or wall, providing a body of three-dimensional shape, the external surface of which contacts the mooring site for protection of the hull. An internal chamber, or chamber located within the confines of the enclosing wall, is adapted to contain rope in excess of that used for suspension of said boat fender, as well as to provide storage for the rope when the boat fender is not in use.

The characteristics of preferred boat fenders, and their principle of operation, will be more fully understood by reference to the following detailed description, and to the attached drawings to which reference is made in the description. The various features and components in the drawings are referred to by numbers, similar features and components being represented in the different views by similar numbers. Subscripts are used in some instances with numbers, and with numbers and letters, where there are duplicate features and components, or to designate a sub-feature or component of a larger assembly.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 depicts in perspective in perspective a boat fender of elongate shape provided with internal rope storage chambers, one located at each end of said boat fender.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the boat fender depicted by reference to FIG. 1, showing the two internal rope storage chambers.

FIG. 3 depicts a fragmentary sectional view of one of the internal rope storage chambers inclusive of a latching mechanism for securing a section of the rope in place within a storage chamber, and release of the stored rope as required.

FIG. 4 depicts in partial section a boat fender of spherical design, inclusive also of an internal rope storage chamber with a latching mechanism for securing a section of the rope in place within the storage chamber, and release of the stored rope from the chamber as required.

FIG. 5 depicts in fragmentary section a second type of rope latch and release mechanism for use with an internal rope storage chamber.

FIG. 6 depicts in fragmentary section a third type of rope latch and release mechanism for use with an internal rope storage chamber.

Referring to the drawings, reference is first made to FIGS. 1-3; initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, generally. FIGS. 1 and 2 show a preferred type of boat fender 10 of elongate shape from the two ends of which a section of rope 11.sub.1, 11.sub.2, respectively, can be withdrawn for suspension of the boat fender 10 alongside the hull of a craft (not shown). for vertical suspension of the boat fender 10 from the deck of a craft, a needed length of one segment of the rope 11 can be released from its internal chamber, e.g., 12.sub.1, and its terminal end, e.g., 11.sub.1A, secured to a post, rail, cleat, or other hitching device located on the deck of the craft. For horizontal suspension of the boat fender 10 from the deck of the craft, the needed lengths of rope 11.sub.1, 11.sub.2 are released from both internal chambers 12.sub.1, 12.sub.2 and the ends 11.sub.1A, 11.sub.2 A are secured to a post, rail, cleat, or hitching device on the deck of the craft. Two or more of the boat fenders can also be strung together end-to-end to form fender boards.

The outside surface of a boat fender 10 can be of virtually any texture, color, or design; and the shape can vary widely. An elongate shape is very practical, and generally preferred. Circumferential vertically oriented projections along the outside surface of a boat fender 10 are often provided, as depicted in FIG. 1, to aid in causing the boat fender 10 to roll rather than rubbing when contact is made between the boat fender and a mooring site.

Reference is specifically made to FIG. 2. The core portion of the boat fender 10 is constituted of an inner tubular structure 12, located concentrically within a surrounding outer wall 15. The tubular structure 12 includes a small diameter central portion 12.sub.3, and large diameter end portions 12.sub.1, 12.sub.2 providing internal chambers within which lengths of rope 11.sub.1, 11.sub.2, respectively, can be stored. It will be understood, however, that the tubular structure 12 could be of uniform diameter from end to end to provide a single non-compartmented chamber; or, in a less preferred form, omitted altogether and the rope stored within the confines of the surrounding outer wall 15, also providing in effect a single non-compartmented chamber. It will be observed, in the embodiment shown, tht the rope 11 extends through the tubular structure 12 but is knotted, for convenience, on the two sides of the small diameter central portion 12.sub.3 of the tubular structure to permanently anchor the rope 11 in place. Thus, the knots 11.sub.3A, 11.sub.4A can serve to anchor the rope in place, effectively causing the rope to function as two independent units, a first rope segment 11.sub.1 located in chamber 12.sub.1 and anchored via an end thereto, and a second rope segment 11.sub.2 located in chamber 12.sub.2 and anchored via an end thereto. In other words, a rope segment (e.g. 11.sub.1) can be withdrawn from its respective chamber (e.g. 12.sub.1) to the full extent of the length stored within its respective chamber, and thereafter it will remain secured to the chamber because it is held therein via a knotted end of the rope (e.g., 11.sub.4A) which cannot pass through the small diameter central portion 12.sub.3 of the tubular structure 12. It is, of course, apparent that other means of securing the rope segments in place within the tubular structure 12 are possible; and it is not essential that the length of rope be segmented in this fashion at all. The two terminal ends of the rope 11 are formed as permanent loops 11.sub.1A, 11.sub.2A. The boat fender 10 is preferably formed as a unitary structure, as shown; the wall 12, 15 being molded to form a unitary component upon which the covers 17.sub.1, 17.sub.2 are affixed. The boat fender 15 can be inflated via the introduction of pressurized gas into the bag via the gas needle valve 16.

Reference is made to FIGS. 2 and 3. Covers 17.sub.1, 17.sub.2 of tubular shape, each of which is provided with an internally threaded inwardly converging central opening, are fitted over the end of each of chambers 12.sub.1, 12.sub.2, respectively, an external projecting ring 17.sub.1A, 17.sub.2A located on the lower side of each extending into and locking within a snap groove 12.sub.1A, 12.sub.2B, respectively, located on the inside face of enlarged tubular segments 12.sub.1, 12.sub.2. Within the internally threaded inwardly converging openings of chamber covers 17.sub.1, 17.sub.2 there is fitted an externally threaded tubular rope locking plug 18.sub.1, 18.sub.2 constituted of a flexible material. The plugs 18.sub.1, 18.sub.2, in concert with the inwardly tapered, or inwardly converging, internally threaded openings of the chamber covers provides, as the plugs 18 are moved upwardly or downwardly, a means for securing a section of the rope in place within the storage chamber, as well as means for quick facile release of the section of rope when required. Rotation and downward movement of a plug 18.sub.1 within an inwardly tapered interally threaded opening 17.sub.1A, as best shown by reference to FIG. 3, thus forces the lowermost wall portion of the plug 18.sub.1 to toe inwardly against the rope 11.sub.1 to securely bind, or lock, the latter in place. Conversely, upward movement of the plug 18.sub.1 within the opening 17.sub.1A, by rotation of the plug in an opposite direction, would cause the toe to move outwardly and release its grip upon the segment of rope 11.sub.1. Thus, upward movement of the plug 18.sub.1 would allow the segment of rope 11.sub.1 to be pushed into the chamber 12.sub.1 for storage, or withdrawn for measuring out for use a desired length of rope. Downward movement of the plug 18.sub.1 would lock a withdrawn portion of the rope 11.sub.1, of predetermined length, for use. The excess rope would be stored within chamber 12.sub.1.

FIG. 4 depicts a boat fender 20 of spherical design, inclusive of a rope storage chamber. The rope storage chamber is similar to those described by reference to FIGS. 1 through 3 with the exception that the chamber 22 is closed at the bottom and provided with ring 22.sub.1 affixed thereto to which a terminal end of the rope 21 can be secured. The chamber cover 27, with its internally threaded inwardly converging externally threaded tubular plug 28 is similar in design and function to those described by reference to FIGS. 1 through 3, and these members are similarly affixed upon the chamber 22. A shell 25 of flexible or semi-flexible material forms a unitary body with the rope storage chamber 22. The shell 25 and chamber 22 are generally formed as molded components, and where an inflatable boat fender is desired, then a gas needle valve (not shown) is included within the wall of the boat fender for injection of a pressurized gas.

FIG. 5 depicts another type of rope locking and release means. In the device described by reference to the figure, the rope is clamped, or locked, when the lever is raised. The tubular segment 38 thus represents a rope exit port, such as would be located atop a chamber unit of a boat fender within which a segment of rope 31 is stored. A notched lever 39, or pair of levers (not shown) alternately disposed, mounted via its notched end within the tube wall 38 tightly engages the rope 31 when the handle 39.sub.1 is moved downwardly against the tubular wall; and, conversely, releases its grip upon the rope 31 when the handle 39.sub.1 is pushed in the opposite direction away from with the wall. In the specific embodiment shown in this Figure, a single lever 39 pushes the rope against the opposite wall when the handle 39.sub.1 is moved downwardly against the tubular wall. Conversely, its grip on the rope 31 is released when the handle 39.sub.1 is moved outwardly away from the tubular wall.

The embodiment depicted by reference to FIG. 6 represents another form of a rope locking and releasing mechanism which can be mounted above a rope storage chamber. In this embodiment the tubular member 48 likewise represents a rope exit port at the top of a rope storage chamber. The tubular member 48, it will be observed, is provided with longitudinal slits 48.sub.1, 48.sub.2, 48.sub.3 providing spaces into which the three fingers formed by the slits 48.sub.1, 48.sub.2, 48.sub.3 can be squeezed, and the fingers thereby pressed as a collet against a rope passed therethrough. The tubular member 48, or collet, is also provided with a circumferential groove 50 into which a ring 49 can be raised. In this type device a segment of rope 41 is thus engaged and held in fixed position when the ring 49 is raised and positioned in the groove 50 as shown in the figure, and released when the ring 49 is lowered or moved out of groove 50 downwardly upon the tubular segment 48.

Various modifications and changes can be made of the boat fender, and associated means for the introduction and storage of rope and release of rope from within the rope storage chamber of the boat fender, without departing the spirit and scope of this invention, as will be apparent to those of skill in this art.