TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to lift-up cleats and more particularly to a lift-up cleat for use in water craft, wherein the vertical movement of lift-up cleat is retarded by means of a friction sleeve, and yet is designed to allow water to flow therethrough.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The principal prior art known to the inventor is U.S. Pat. No. 6,588,355 B1, granted to Whitley, II et al on Jul. 8, 2003. Although not reviewed in detail, it is assumed that the references cited therein would have some pertinence.
The reference discloses a lift-up or retractable cleat assembly that includes an elastically deformable skirt member which resiliently abuts the tube of the base member thereby providing infinitesimally small increments of adjustability to the post of the cleat member and yet is shaped to allow liquid located within the interior of the tube of the base member to drain therefrom.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
One aspect of the present invention is to provide a lift-up cleat assembly that includes a base member having an upper plate shaped to abut the mounting surface and at least one normally vertically oriented tube depending from the plate, wherein the tube has a hollow interior and a retractable cleat member having an upper-cleat shaped portion to retain lines thereon and at least one normally vertically oriented mounting post depending from the head, wherein the post is telescopically received within the interior tube of the base member. The cleat assembly also includes a cylindrical resilient ribbed lining element which is located between the tube and the mounting post contacting both the tube and the mounting post and configured such that it provides frictional resistance to the movement of the mounting post while suppressing any rattling noise and allowing water to pass therethrough.
Another aspect of the present invention includes the fact that the interior portion of the tube is configured to lock the cylindrical lining member in place preventing movement thereof while also providing a vertical stop member preventing the removal of the mounting post.
These and other features, advantages and objects of the present invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification and depended drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the inventive retractable cleat in the retracted position.
FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the inventive cleat in the extended position.
FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the retractable cleat member.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view along sides 4-4 of FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the frictional sleeve member.
FIG. 6 is a partial sectional elevation view of the cleat member in the retracted position showing the interrelationship of the parts with the sleeve member.
FIG. 7 is a partial elevational view of the retractable cleat member and the captured sleeve member with the cleat in the elevated or extended position.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the retractable cleat member includes a base member 2 which is adapted to conform to and abut against the support deck element and includes a pair of downwardly depending threaded tube elements 4 having mounted thereon washers 6 and nut elements 8 for securing the plate to the deck member. Likewise seen in this view is a peripheral ridge 10 which secures a drain element (not shown) for draining water which seeps through the cleat element. The upper portion 12 of the cleat member is movable from the position shown in FIG. 1 through the position shown in FIG. 2 such that when not in use it is substantially flush with the deck and when in use it exposes a pair of downwardly pending mounting element 14 telescopically received in the tube members 4. Also to be seen is the fact that the plate member 2 includes a recess 16 to receive the cleat top element 12 as well as recessed edge portions 18 allowing the gripping of the cleat top element 12.
FIG. 3 shows the interrelationship of the elements in an elevational view.
FIG. 4 more clearly shows the interrelationship of the shaft 14 and the tube 4 as well as the ribbed resilient sleeve 20 which as can be seen in this view is captured within tube 4 and yet by means of its inwardly extending ribs and/or legs 22 provides friction to control the relative movement between the elements 20 and 4 as well as providing a dampening effect preventing rattling between the two metallic elements while allowing any water which is leaked into the element to drain downwardly to be carried away.
As seen more clearly in FIG. 5, the sleeve element 20 includes a slit 24 for ease of assembly as well the legs 22 and the ribs 26.
Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, the relative interrelationship may more easily be seen in that it discloses the fact that the tube 20 is captured in a groove in the interior portion of threaded tube 4 providing a constant friction against the post 14 while preventing accidental movement or removal thereof. Likewise seen in this view is a stop element 28 which is secured to the bottom of the post 14 by means of a threaded element 30 and when the upper element 12 is pulled to the upward position prevents movement beyond the bottom end of the sleeve 20.
Thus as can be seen the present invention provides a frictional resistance against movement of the retractable cleat element with respect to the mounting element thereby allowing incremental adjustment in terms of the placement of the cleat element while also preventing any rattling generated by the movement of the vessel and allowing any water that might accumulate to drain downwardly and be channeled away from the interior of the vessel.
Patent Application
20080121161
