Spreader tip with discontinuous external mounting

Abstract

A spreader tip which can be applied to a variety of different spreader bars having different shapes and sizes. The spreader tip features at least one mounting arm which is positioned to bear against a portion of the spreader bar's exterior. The engagement between the at least one mounting arm and the exterior of the spreader bar is discontinuous, in that it engages less than the entire circumference of the spreader bar's exterior.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevation view, showing prior art lateral stays on a sailboat.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view, showing a spreader bar in more detail.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view, showing different shapes used in prior art spreader bars.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view, showing a prior art spreader tip.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view, showing a first embodiment of the present invention, using a single mounting arm.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view, showing the installation of the first embodiment on a spreader bar.

FIG. 7 is a section view, showing the installation of the first embodiment on a spreader bar.

FIG. 8 is a section view, showing a second embodiment featuring an arched mounting arm.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view, showing the embodiment of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view, showing the use of straps to attach the spreader tip.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view, showing an embodiment with two mounting arms.

FIG. 12 is an elevation view, showing the embodiment of FIG. 11 mounted on a spreader bar.

FIG. 13 is an elevation view, showing the embodiment of FIG. 11 mounted on a spreader bar.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view, showing an embodiment with a wide mounting arm.

FIG. 15 is an elevation view, showing the embodiment of FIG. 14 mounted on a spreader bar.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view, showing an embodiment using three mounting arms.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view, showing the embodiment of FIG. 16 attached to a spreader bar.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view, showing the use of spacers to adapt the spreader tip to different spreader bar sizes.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view, showing an embodiment with four mounting arms.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view, showing the embodiment of FIG. 19 attached to a spreader bar.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view, showing a weld between the mounting arm and the spreader bar.

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN THE DRAWINGS
10	mast	12	spreader bar
14	end	16	conformed plug
18	rigging interface	20	cable receiver
22	cable	24	hull
26	universal spreader tip	28	rigging interface
30	cable receiver	32	mounting arm
33	threaded hole	34	through hole
35	arched mounting arm	36	mounting hole
38	bolt	40	bolt
42	drilled hole	44	washer
46	nut	48	contact point
50	screw clamp	52	inner surface
54	threaded hole	56	adjustable mounting arm
58	mounting plate	60	vertical slot
62	bolt	64	wide mounting arm
66	U-bolt	68	lateral slot
70	lateral mounting arm	72	circumference
74	lateral facing surface	78	lower mounting arm
80	spacer	82	upper mounting arm
84	mounting arm	86	weld

Claims

1. A spreader tip for locating a cable relative to a spreader bar, said spreader bar including an end, a lateral facing surface, and a circumference proximate said end, comprising: a. a rigging interface, including a cable receiver;b. at least one mounting arm, attached to said rigging interface;c. wherein said at least one mounting arm extends over a portion of said circumference proximate said end of said spreader bar; andd. wherein said at least one mounting arm is attached to said spreader bar so that said at least one mounting arm contacts said portion of said circumference and said rigging interface lies proximate said end.

2. A spreader tip as recited in claim 1, said rigging interface and said at least one mounting arm are made as one integral unit.

3. A spreader tip as recited in claim 1, wherein said rigging interface and said at least one mounting arm are made as separate pieces which are then joined together.

4. A spreader tip as recited in claim 1, wherein said at least one mounting arm is arched so that said at least one mounting arm contacts said portion of said circumference in two separated locations.

5. A spreader tip as recited in claim 1, wherein said at least one mounting arm is attached to said spreader bar by at least one bolt.

6. A spreader tip as recited in claim 1, wherein said at least one mounting arm is attached to said spreader bar by a banding device.

7. A spreader tip as recited in claim 1, further comprising: a. a second mounting arm, attached to said rigging interface;b. wherein said second mounting arm extends over a second portion of said circumference proximate said end of said spreader bar; andc. wherein said second mounting arm is attached to said spreader bar so that a portion of said spreader bar lies between said at least one mounting arm and said second mounting arm.

8. A spreader tip as recited in claim 7, wherein said attachment between said rigging interface and said second mounting arm is adjustable, so that the distance between said at least one mounting arm and said second mounting arm is adjustable.

9. A spreader tip as recited in claim 7, further comprising: a. a third mounting arm, attached to said rigging interface;b. wherein said third mounting arm extends over a third portion of said circumference proximate said end of said spreader bar; andc. wherein said third mounting arm is attached to said spreader bar so that said spreader bar lies between said at least one mounting arm, said second mounting arm, and said third mounting arm.

10. A spreader tip as recited in claim 8, wherein said attachment between said rigging interface and said third mounting arm is adjustable, so that the distances between said at least one mounting arm and said second and third mounting arms are adjustable.

11. A spreader tip as recited in claim 9, further comprising: a. a fourth mounting arm, attached to said rigging interface;b. wherein said fourth mounting arm extends over a fourth portion of said circumference proximate said end of said spreader bar, andc. wherein said fourth mounting arm is attached to said spreader bar so that said spreader bar lies between said at least one mounting arm, said second mounting arm, said third mounting arm, and said fourth mounting arm.

12. A spreader tip as recited in claim 1, wherein said at least one mounting arm is attached to said spreader bar by at least one U-bolt.

13. A spreader tip as recited in claim 4, wherein said at least one mounting arm is attached to said spreader bar by at least one bolt.

14. A spreader tip as recited in claim 4, wherein said at least one mounting arm is attached to said spreader bar by at least one banding device.

15. A spreader tip as recited in claim 4, wherein said at least one mounting arm is attached to said spreader bar by at least one U-bolt.

16. A spreader tip as recited in claim 7, wherein said second mounting arm is attached to said spreader bar by at least one bolt.

17. A spreader tip as recited in claim 7, wherein said second mounting arm is attached to said spreader bar by at least one banding device.

18. A spreader tip as recited in claim 7, wherein said second mounting arm is attached to said spreader bar by at least one U-bolt.

19. A spreader tip as recited in claim 1, wherein said at least one mounting arm is attached to said spreader bar by at least one weld.

20. A spreader tip as recited in claim 4, wherein said at least one mounting arm is attached to said spreader bar by at least one weld.

21. A spreader tip as recited in claim 1, wherein said at least one mounting arm is attached to said spreader bar by an attachment means selected from the group consisting of a threaded fastener, a rivet, a banding device, a weld, and an adhesive bond.

22. A spreader tip as recited in claim 7, wherein: a. said at least one mounting arm is attached to said spreader bar by an attachment means selected from the group consisting of a threaded fastener, a rivet, a banding device, a weld, and an adhesive bond; andb. said second mounting arm is attached to said spreader bar by an attachment means selected from the group consisting of a threaded fastener, a rivet, a banding device, a weld, and an adhesive bond.

23. A spreader tip as recited in claim 22, wherein said second mounting arm is attached to said spreader bar by an attachment means selected from the group consisting of a threaded fastener, a rivet, a banding device, a weld, and an adhesive bond.

24. A spreader tip as recited in claim 7, further comprising a spacer located between said second mounting arm and said spreader bar.

25. A spreader tip as recited in claim 9, wherein said first, second, and third mounting arms are attached to said spreader bar by an attachment means selected from the group consisting of a threaded fastener, a rivet, a banding device, a weld, and an adhesive bond.

26. A spreader tip as recited in claim 11, wherein said first, second, third, and fourth mounting arms are attached to said spreader bar by an attachment means selected from the group consisting of a threaded fastener, a rivet, a banding device, a weld, and an adhesive bond.

27. A spreader tip as recited in claim 9, further comprising: a. a spacer located between said second mounting arm and said spreader bar; andb. a spacer located between said third mounting arm and said spreader bar.

28. A spreader tip as recited in claim 11, further comprising: a. a spacer located between said second mounting arm and said spreader bar;b. a spacer located between said third mounting arm and said spreader bar; andc. a spacer located between said fourth mounting arm and said spreader bar.

29. A spreader tip as recited in claim 8, wherein said adjustable attachment between said rigging interface and said second mounting arm comprises providing a deformable material for said second mounting arm so that said second mounting arm can be deflected toward said first mounting arm.

30. A spreader tip as recited in claim 10, wherein said adjustable attachment between said rigging interface and said third mounting arm comprises providing a deformable material for said third mounting arm so that said third mounting arm can be deflected toward said first mounting arm.

31. A spreader tip as recited in claim 11, wherein said attachment between said rigging interface and said fourth mounting arm is adjustable, so that the distances between said at least one mounting arm and said fourth mounting arm is adjustable.

32. A spreader tip as recited in claim 31, wherein said adjustable attachment between said rigging interface and said fourth mounting arm comprises providing a deformable material for said fourth mounting arm so that said fourth mounting arm can be deflected toward said first mounting arm.