Pop-Up Cleat

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cleats are widely used in the boating industry, primarily for attaching a line (e.g., rope) for securing, for example, a boat to a dock, a boat to a boat, etc. In the past, there were fixed boat cleats, typically shaped like the symbol for Pi (π), allowing for a loop end of a line to pass through and then loop over the points and/or attaching a line in a figure eight pattern.

In the past, many cleats on docks and boats were fixed, typically two to three inches tall, some larger for large vessels such as tankers and cargo ships). These cleats were stationary, so they often pose a tripping hazard. In such, two threaded posts are provided for securing the boat cleat to the dock or boat deck. During the molding/fabrication process, the threads are typically formed on the posts and two sets of nuts and lock washers are provided to secure the cleat to the dock or boat deck.

Some cleats having a depressed inoperative position which can be moved to an operative position are well known in the art, such as seen in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,535,694; 5,301,627, 4,809,634. Such cleats lay substantially flush against the boat deck when retracted and extend outwardly from the boat deck when they are extended, permitting a line to be properly secured as with a stationary boat cleat. Such cleats reduce the opportunity for tripping, especially when a cleat is not in use. These cleats have two positions, an extended position in which the cleat is useful for attaching a line and a retracted position in which the cleat is flush or slightly higher than the surface on which it is mounted, reducing the potential for tripping. Some such prior cleats relied on friction to hold them in the extended position, while some such prior cleats have a spring-loaded mechanism that provides automatic extension in a pop-up fashion, often called pop-up cleats. These pop-up cleats re pushed down to retract, then to extend, they are pushed again and they pop-up by spring force.

The prior pop-up cleats work well but are more complicated to install on a surface such as a deck of a boat. The prior non-retractable cleats require two simple holes drilled in the surface/deck. Prior pop-up cleats require drilling of two similar bolt holes, but also forming another hole for the spring mechanism using a complicated template. This allows for the pop-up mechanism to be located below the surface of the deck to maintain a minimum profile. This complicated set of holes is difficult, especially when adding a pop-up cleat to an existing vessel or dock.

Further, as either a pulling force or a slight press and release force would cause the prior pop-up cleats to extend, there was always the chance that a user inadvertently cause the cleat to pop-up, creating a tripping hazard.

What is needed is a locking pop-up cleat that requires only two holes be formed in a surface for installation while maintaining a minimum profile.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, a locking pop-up cleat is disclosed including a base member that has a base plate and two hollow base member lugs depending from the base plate. Each hollow base member lug of the two hollow base member lugs has a first diameter proximal to the base plate and a second diameter distal from the base plate whereas the first diameter is smaller than the second diameter and each lug of the two hollow base member lugs is threaded to accept a nut. A securing member has a top portion that connects two legs that are spaced apart and configured for accepting a line. The top portion extends outwardly from each of the legs forming two wings for tying a line. Each of the two legs is held within a respective one of the two hollow base member lugs by a screw; a head of the screw and a washer, the washer having a diameter that is greater than the first diameter and less than the second diameter, thereby retaining the two legs within the respective one of the two hollow base member lugs. A spring within each of the two hollow base member lugs urges the two legs towards an extended position. There is a spring-loaded locking mechanism interfaced between the base plate and the top portion of the securing member. The locking mechanism holds the top portion of the securing mechanism in a retracted position until an actuator of the spring-loaded latching mechanism is pressed, at which time, the top portion of the securing mechanism is released and moved into the extended position by force of the spring.

In another embodiment, a method of installing the locking pop-up cleat (as above) is disclosed including providing the locking pop-up cleat per the above and forming two holes in a surface (e.g., the boat deck), each hole spaced to match the two hollow base member lugs and each hole sized to accept one of the two hollow base member lugs. Next, the two hollow base member lugs are inserted into the holes and positioned flush against the surface, each of the two hollow base member lugs protruding through a respective one of the two holes and a nut (and optional lock washer) is threaded onto each of the two hollow base member lugs and tightening to hold the locking pop-up cleat on the surface.

In another embodiment, a locking pop-up cleat is disclosed including a base member that has a base plate and two hollow base member lugs depending from a bottom surface of the base plate. The bottom surface of the base plate is configured to interface flushly to a surface of a boat and each hollow base member lug has a first inner diameter proximal to the base plate and a second inner diameter distal from the base plate whereas the first inner diameter is smaller than the second inner diameter. Each lug of the two hollow base member lugs is threaded to accept a nut. A securing member that has a top portion that connects two legs that are spaced apart is configured for accepting a line. The top portion extends outwardly from each of the legs forming two wings for tying a line when the securing member is in an extended configuration. Each of the two legs is held within a respective one of the two hollow base member lugs by a screw and a washer, the washer having a head diameter that is greater than the first diameter and less than the second diameter, thereby retaining the two legs within the respective one of the two hollow base member lugs. A spring within each of the two hollow base member lugs urges the two legs towards an extended position. Each spring is held within a respective hollow based member lug by an end-cap. A spring-loaded locking mechanism is interfaced between the base plate and the top portion of the securing member, holding the top portion of the securing mechanism in a retracted position until an actuator of the spring-loaded latching mechanism is pressed, at which time, the top portion of the securing mechanism is released and moved into the extended position by force of the spring.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates elevational view of a new locking, pop-up cleat in an extended configuration.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cut-away view of the new locking, pop-up cleat along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates elevational view of a new locking, pop-up cleat in an extended configuration showing insertion into a surface (e.g., a deck).

FIG. 4 illustrates a cut-away view of the new locking, pop-up cleat and surface along lines 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 illustrates elevational view of a new locking, pop-up cleat in a retracted configuration.

FIG. 6 illustrates a first cut-away view of the new locking, pop-up cleat along lines 6,7-6,7 of FIG. 5, showing the locking member engaged with the pop-up member.

FIG. 7 illustrates a first cut-away view of the new locking, pop-up cleat along lines 6,7-6,7 of FIG. 5, showing the locking member disengaged with the pop-up member and the pop-up member ready to move to the extended configuration by way of spring force.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4, elevational views of a new locking, pop-up cleat 100 are shown in an extended configuration ready to accept a line. In FIGS. 3 and 4, the locking, pop-up cleat 100 is shown installed in two holes that are formed in a surface 300 (e.g., the deck of a boat). Note that the surface is any surface to which one might install any type of boat cleat such as a boat deck, a dock, etc.

In general, the new locking, pop-up cleat 100 is fabricated in two major sections, the securing member 101 and the base 200. In some embodiments, the securing member 101 and the base 200 are formed and/or cast from stainless steel, while in other embodiments, the securing member 101 and the base 200 are made from any other sturdy material. The securing member 101 has two legs 102 that are spaced apart and move in/out of the hollow base member lugs 202. The pop-up member has wings 103 that extend far enough beyond the legs 102 for attaching a line during use.

The hollow base member lugs 202 are threaded (outside surface) such that after insertion through two holes formed in the surface 300 (e.g., a deck of a boat), nuts 206 and optional lock washers 204 are threaded onto each of the hollow base member lugs 202 (and tightened) to hold the new locking, pop-up cleat 100 to the surface.

During manufacture of the new, locking pop-up cleat 100, after positioning two each of the legs 102 inside a respective hollow base member lugs 202, a screw 203 and washer 205 are installed in the bottom of each pop-up leg 102 to prevent each pop-up leg 102 from exiting the hollow base member lugs 202 as each hollow base member lug 202 has a blocking area 201 that has a smaller diameter than the washer 205 and the remaining hollow area of the hollow base member lug 202 has a larger diameter that the washer 205. As the remaining hollow area of the hollow base member lugs 202 has a diameter that is greater than the diameter of the washer 205 and screw 203, the washer 205 and screw 203 move freely within the larger diameter hollow area.

There is a spring 210 in each hollow base member lug 202 that biases the securing member 101 towards the extended configuration (e.g., for attaching a line). During manufacture, after the screw 203 and washer 205 are installed and the spring 210 is inserted into the hollow base member lug 202, then an end cap 212 is added to close the hollow base member lug 202 and retain the spring 210, for example, using a press-fit, welding, adhesives, a groove, and/or threads. In some embodiments, the end cap 212 has an orifice 215 to allow for draining of any liquid that might seep into the hollow base member lug 202.

A spring-loaded locking mechanism 220 includes a hook edge 225 that engages with a cutout 104 of the securing member 101, in particular with an overhang 125 of the cutout 104, the operation of which is described with FIGS. 5, 6, and 7.

Referring to FIGS. 5, 6, and 7, a cut-away view of the new locking, pop-up cleat 100 is shown with the spring-loaded locking mechanism 220 in an engaged position in FIG. 6 and a disengaged position in FIG. 7.

In FIG. 6, the spring-loaded locking mechanism 220 is shown biased in the locked position by one or more lock mechanism springs 222. In this position, a hook edge 225 of the spring-loaded locking mechanism 220 captures the securing member 101 by an overhang 125.

In FIG. 7, the spring-loaded locking mechanism 220 has been pressed (e.g., by a finger), compressing the one or more locking mechanism springs 222 and moving the hook edge 225 withing the hook cavity 224 to where the hook edge 225 no longer captures the overhang 125 and the securing member 101 is therefore disengaged with the spring-loaded locking mechanism 220 and the securing member 101 ready to move to the extended configuration by way of a force exerted on the pop-up member legs 102 by the springs 210.

Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same result.

It is believed that the system and method as described and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction, and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.