Patent Application
20190031295
This invention relates to the field of rescue and safety devices and more specifically to a retractable tow rope device.
Kayaks and small watercraft are often transported to be placed in the water or during emergencies by pulling them from the bow or stern.
Kayak and watercraft handles integrally molded into the watercraft structure are difficult to grasp to drag the watercraft across dry land.
Additionally, The US Coast Guard recommends that all small personal water craft be equipped with accessible safety ropes or tie off lines on both the bow and stern of the water craft. These unsecured lines create trip and snag hazards, and may be difficult to locate in an emergency.
If they are loose on the floor of the watercraft or are inadvertently dropped on the ground, they present a trip hazard. When carrying or portaging a personal watercraft, the line may become snagged on brush or a tree.
There is an unmet need for a tool for transporting and towing a small watercraft and for securing safety lines.
The invention is a device that provides a retractable watercraft safety line that may be selectively affixed to a dock. Components of the device include a rope, a novel, simplified spring retraction assembly that utilizes release pin for securing and retracting the rope. The spring retraction assembly is partially enclosed by non-absorbent, non-corrosive housing with an aperture that allows for drainage.
As used herein, the term “trapezoidal” means a four-sided shape wherein the sides may be straight or curved.
As used herein, the term “anthropometric” means adapted for human anatomy.
As used herein, the term “substantially” means all or a material portion; recognizable but modified or materially characterized by a feature, trait or composition.
As used herein, the term “gripping component” means a protuberance or contour or any other anthropometric feature for gripping by a human hand.
As used herein, the term “rope” or “webbing” means rope, lanyard, line, or cord made of materials such as polyester, polydacron, polypropylene, nylon, and Kevlar.
As used herein, the term “flotation component” may include Styrofoam, Air bladder, foaming agent inserted into a cavity, air tight sealed compartment or cork.
As used herein, the term “operatively coupled” means mechanically interdependent or components which interact physically when a common force, movement, or method of activation is applied.
In the embodiment shown, housing 30 is comprised of two sectional components 35a, 35b. Other embodiments may include a single integrally molded component, or housing 30 may be formed by more components.
In the embodiment shown, release pin 76 is a cylindrical tube with a solid pin, but in other embodiments release pin 76 may include a toothed sprocket. When spring release button 40 is depressed, release pin 76 is disengaged from retraction assembly 70 allowing rope 60 to be freely pulled from housing 30, or returned to the original coiled position. In the embodiment shown spring release button 40 protrudes through spring release button aperture (not shown) and is held in place by a securing mechanism, which in the embodiment shown is release pin assembly screw 44.
In other embodiments, alternative securing mechanism may be used such as designing spring release button 40 so that it can be repositioned within an aperture or slot and held into place with contact from another component.
In various embodiment rope 60 may be made of lanyard, line, or cord and made of materials such as polyester, polydacron, polypropylene, nylon, and Kevlar. Rope 60 may be between 10 to 15 feet in length, 0.125 to 0.3125-inch diameter and have a tensile strength ranging from 140 to 600 pounds per square inch. The webbing may be 10 to 15 feet in length, 0.375 to 0.75 inches wide 0.020 to 0.469 inches thick and have a tensile strength of 140 to 1,000 pounds per square inch.
In the exemplary embodiment shown housing 30 further includes trapezoidal top surface 10. Other embodiments may utilize different geometry for housing 30, including oval, flat oval, half round, modified square, or modified rectangle.
In
Additional changes in the details, materials, procedures and arrangement of parts, which have been herein described and illustrated to explain the nature of the invention, may be made by those skilled in the art within the principle and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.
It should be further understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale; instead, emphasis has been placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. Moreover, the term “substantially” and “approximately” as used herein may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related.
