LINE HANDLING DEVICE Technical Field

This invention relates to a line handling device and in particular a line handling device for use in nautical applications such as for facilitating the connecting of a mooring line to a boat mooring point such as a cleat, bollard, buoy or any other mooring point. The present invention also relates to a boat hook for facilitating the connection of a line to or disconnection of a line from a mooring point. Background Art

When a boat is attempting to tie up at a jetty, wharf or pontoon, it is necessary to attach a mooring line to a fixed mooring point on the jetty, wharf or pontoon such as a cleat or bollard. Often this is attempted to be done by throwing a looped mooring line from the boat in an attempt to capture the cleat or bollard. This is difficult to accomplish particularly if the boat is at a distance from the jetty, wharf or pontoon or if boat is relatively large. Failure to capture a mooring cleat in this manner can result in the boat running into the jetty, wharf and pontoon and damage being caused to the boat and/or jetty wharf and pontoon. This problem is accentuated by wind and current and when the boat is moving slowly towards the mooring point as boats operating at low speed usually have limited manoeuvrability. Thus it is important that the boat be moored at the first attempt. An alternative method of mooring a boat to a jetty, wharf or pontoon is for a crewman to grasp a mooring rope and to jump from the boat onto the jetty, wharf or pontoon. This is obviously a hazardous activity as not only is there a risk to a crewman jumping from the boat but the crewman also has to rapidly secure the mooring line and possibly also fend the moving boat off the jetty, wharf or pontoon. Whilst conventional boat hooks can be used as an aid to mooring of a boat, a boat hook only serves as a means for hooking onto a cleat or the like and can be unsafe to use as the relative movement between the boat and a cleat can cause a person using the boat hook to become unbalanced and thrown into the water.

Some devices have been proposed with the aim of overcoming the above disadvantages however these devices in general have not been particularly effective. Summary of the Invention

The present invention aims to provide a line handling device which overcomes or alleviates the above disadvantages or which at least provides an alternative to the known

line handling devices. The present invention further aims to provide an improved boat hook with or without a line handling device. Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description.

The present invention thus provides in one preferred aspect, a line handling device for use in handling lines of the type having an enlarged portion, said line handling device including clamp means adapted to releasably capture said enlarged portion of said line whereby said line captured by said clamp means may be manipulated by said device.

The enlarged portion of the line may comprise an enlarged loop defining portion defining a loop in one end of the line. Thus the clamp means of the device may be adapted to releasably capture the loop defining portion whereby the loop may be manipulated to locate over an anchor point or the like.

The loop defining portion suitably comprises respective portions of the line at one end of the line which are brought together to form the loop at one the end of the line. Typically the loop defining portion comprises a splice defined between a free end portion of the line and a portion of the line spaced from the free end, the line being looped back upon itself and the free end being spliced into the spaced portion of the line. Thus the position of the splice in the line determines the size of the loop in the line.

Typically the line comprises any flexible rope or the like and typically comprises a multi-stranded rope such as a synthetic or natural rope having three strands. Where the line comprises a multi-stranded rope, the juxtaposed line portions may be secured together by conventional splicing so that the strands of the rope are intertwined. The line however may comprise any form of line such as a braided rope and the splice may be any form of splice.

Alternatively, the loop defining portion may be defined by portions of the line which are juxtaposed. The juxtaposed portions may be free from each other or held or secured together by other means. Thus the juxtaposed portions of the line may be held together by chaffing tape or the like wrapped around the juxtaposed portions.

Alternatively the juxtaposed portions may be held together by stitching with twine such as synthetic twine. As an alternative, the juxtaposed portions of the line or rope may be held together by whipping such as by use of a synthetic whipping twine.

The loop defining portion formed as above therefore has a transverse dimension greater than the transverse or diametrical dimension of the line or rope.

Preferably the clamp means is configured such that the enlarged portion of the

line can be detached therefrom by moving the enlarged portion longitudinally of the clamp means. Preferably the clamp means is in the form of an elongated channel defined by an elongated channel shaped member. Preferably the channel shaped member has at least a portion of a transverse internal dimension slightly less than the maximum transverse dimension of the loop defining portion such that the loop defining portion can be gripped by the channel shaped member.

The channel shaped member suitably is of a substantially part cylindrical form in cross section. Preferably the channel shaped member has opposite sides or jaws and the sides of jaws may include projections or serrations for facilitating gripping of the loop defining portion. In a particularly preferred form, the channel shaped member is of a reentrant form such that the entrance into the interior of the channel shaped member is less than the maximum internal transverse dimensions of the channel shaped member. Alternatively the opposite sides or jaws of the channel shaped member may be slightly flared outwardly to facilitate positioning of the enlarged portion of the line therein. Preferably the projections or serrations are provided adjacent the free edges of said sides or jaws and extend inwardly therefrom.

The channel shaped member is suitably provided at one end of an elongated handle or other elongated member. The handle may comprise a telescopic handle. The handle member may be of a pole-like configuration. The channel shaped member suitably extends in a generally longitudinal direction relative to the handle or other elongated member. The channel shaped member may be mounted to the handle or other elongated member by an intermediate adapter. Preferably the leading end of the channel shaped member is tapered.

The loop defining portion of the line may be detached from the channel shaped member by moving the loop defining portion longitudinally relative to the channel shaped member. Thus when the loop of the line is located over an anchoring point by use of the handle, retraction of the handle from the anchoring point will move the loop defining portion out of the channel leaving the loop is anchored to the anchoring point.

Preferably the line comprises a boat mooring line or rope and the anchoring point comprises a cleat, bollard or the like around which a loop of mooring line or rope is to be located. Thus when it is desired to moor a boat to a cleat on a pontoon, wharf, jetty or the like using a mooring line having a looped end defined by a splice in the line, the splice is located in the channel of the channel shaped member which grips the splice

with the loop in the line extending forwardly of the channel and the end of the handle. The handle carrying the looped mooring line may then be extended from the boat to position the loop over the cleat. When the handle is withdrawn, the loop will remain looped about the cleat and the loop defining portion will be retracted from the channel shaped member thus leaving the mooring line about the cleat to enable mooring of the boat to the pontoon, jetty or wharf.

The line handling device may be combined with a boat hook having an elongated handle terminating in an end member having a hook device thereon. The line handling device may be located at or adjacent the hook device of the boat hook. The end member may comprise a main body secured to the handle and one or more single-sided hooks on one side of the main body. The main body preferably is detachably engaged with the handle. Preferably the main body includes a spigot and the handle is hollow such that the spigot may be received in one end thereof. Alternatively the main body includes a socket to receive an end of the handle which is secured in the socket by a suitable fastener or fasteners or other means. The channel shaped member may be mounted to the main body of the end member. The channel shaped member may be located on the side of the main body opposite the one or more hooks. The channel shaped member may be detachably secured to the main body. Preferably the channel shaped member is screw engaged with the main body. The channel shaped member may be angled to the main body to diverge outwardly therefrom rearwardly from the end of the handle. Preferably the main body tapers towards its leading end.

Preferably cooperable coupling means are provided between the main body and channel shaped member. The cooperable coupling means suitably are such as to resist lateral movement of the channel shaped member relative to the main body. Preferably the main body has a recess and the channel shaped member includes a flange portion complementary to and receivable in the recess. Preferably opposite end portions of the recess and the flange portion cooperate to resist lateral movement of the flange portion relative to the recess.

Preferably the one or more hooks comprise a first hook at the leading end of the main body and extending laterally thereof. Preferably the hook has a laterally extending arm portion and a tine or prong extending rearwardly of the arm portion. The leading end of the arm portion suitably defines an abutment surface. The abutment surface may be linear or concave.

The one or more hooks suitably also include a second hook extending laterally from the main body and located rearwardly of the first hook Preferably the second hook extends laterally of the main body a distance greater than the first hook. Preferably the second hook is substantially longitudinally aligned and/or coplanar with the first hook. The second hook suitably includes a laterally extending arm portion and a tine or prong extending rearwardly of the arm portion. The arm of the second hook suitably defines an abutment surface at its leading end.

The main body may be provided with a slot at its leading end, the slot extending transversely of the main body and being adapted to frictionally engage and hold a snap shackle or hook or the like to facilitate the engagement of the shackle or hook with an eye or anchor point. Preferably the slot is defined by an insert detachable from the leading end of the main body.

Preferably the main body is moulded of a plastics material. The channel shaped member is also suitably moulded of plastics suitably a pliable or resilient plastics material.

In a further aspect, the present invention provides a boat hook having an elongated handle terminating in an end member having a pair of hooks comprising a first laterally extending hook at the leading end of said end member and a second laterally extending hook located rearwardly of said first hook and substantially coplanar or longitudinally aligned with the first hook.

Preferably the first hook has a laterally extending arm portion and a tine or prong extending rearwardly of the arm portion. The leading end of the arm portion suitably defines an abutment surface or edge. Preferably the second hook extends laterally of the main body a distance greater then the first hook. The second hook suitably includes a laterally extending arm portion and a tine or prong extending rearwardly of the arm portion. The arm of the second hook suitably defines an abutment surface at its leading end.

Preferably a re-entrant recess is defined between the first and second hooks whereby a line or rope may be releasably captured therein. The end member suitably comprises a main body secured to the handle with the hooks comprising single-sided hooks on one side of the main body. The main body preferably is detachably engaged with the handle. Preferably the main body includes a spigot and the handle is hollow such that the spigot may be received in one end thereof.

Alternatively the main body may include a socket to receive an end of the handle. Brief Description of the Drawings

In order that the invention may be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein :-

Fig. 1 is an isometric view of a hook head of a boat hook incorporating line handling apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figs. 2, 3 and 4 illustrate hook head of Fig. 1 in side, end and plan views respectively; : Figs. 5 and 6 are exploded side and end views of the hook head of Figs. 1 to 4;

Fig. 7 and 8 illustrate the channel member of the line handling apparatus in isometric and plan views;

Figs. 9 (a) and (b) illustrate in side and end view the manner in which a line may be gripped by the line handling apparatus of the invention; Fig. 10 illustrates in side view an alternative manner in which the line may be gripped by the line handling apparatus;

Figs. 11 and 12 illustrate typical uses of the line handling apparatus of the invention;

Fig. 13 illustrates the manner in which a line may be released from a cleat or the like;

Fig. 14 illustrates an alternative simplified embodiment of the invention; and

Fig. 15 illustrates a modified form of hook head of a boat hook. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

Referring to the drawing and firstly to Figs. 1 to 4 there is illustrated a hook head 10 of line handling apparatus according to the present invention which typically comprises the head of a boat hook where the line handling apparatus is adapted for handling mooring ropes or the like. The hook head 10 includes a main body 11 having on one side a line gripper or clamp 12 and on its opposite side leading and trailing hooks

13 and 14 respectively. The line gripper 12 comprises an elongated channel shaped member 15 of part circular form in cross section and having a pair of opposite curved side flanges or jaws 16. Inwardly directed teeth-like ribs 17 are provided adjacent the free longitudinal edges of the flanges or jaws 16 and define a restricted entrance 18 into

the interior 19 of the channel shaped member 15. The leading end 20 of the channel shaped member 15 is tapered.

The channel shaped member 15 as also shown in Figs. 5 to 8 is provided on its underside, that is the side opposite the flanges or jaws 16, with a mounting flange 21 extending longitudinally of the member 15 and the main body 11 includes on one side a shallow recess 22 complementary to the mounting flange 21. Opposite ends 23 of the flange 21 are of a broad arrow headed or pointed configuration and the recess 22 is of corresponding complementary configuration at each end 24. Spaced apertures 24' are provided in the flange 21 an extend through to the "channel" side of the member 15 to accept to accept screws 25 which may be driven into apertures in the main body 11 to hold the flange 21 within the recess 22. The cooperation between the ends 23 of the flange 21 and corresponding complementary ends 24 of the recess 22 resists lateral movement of the channel shaped member 15 relative to the main body 11.

The main body 11 further includes a spigot 26 adapted to be located in the end of a hollow elongated handle 27 (shown in dotted outline in Fig. 1). Alternatively the spigot 26 may be replaced by a socket into which the handle 27 may be inserted for securing therein.

The leading hook 13 includes a transversely extending arm 28 terminating in a rearwardly extending tine 29. The tine 29 terminates in an enlarged bulbous member 30 which may be marked or painted with a coating which is luminescent so that it can be seen at night. The leading end 31 of the arm 28 is slightly concave and serves as an abutment surface which may be used to push against a surface for example by fending off.

The trailing hook 14 is of a similar configuration to but is larger than the hook 13 and includes a transversely extending arm 32 which is substantially coplanar with the arm 28 and terminates in a rearwardly extending tine 33. The hook 14 however extends laterally outwardly of the hook 13. The tine 33 as with the tine 29 terminates in an enlarged bulbous member 34 which may be marked or painted with a coating which is luminescent so that it can be seen at night. In an alternative arrangement as shown in dotted outline in Fig. 2, the tynes 29 and 33 taper towards a point and the enlarged bulbous members 30 are absent. In this configuration the outermost surfaces of the tynes 29 and 33 extend smoothly to the ends of the tynes 29 and 33. The outermost surfaces of the tynes 29 and 33 may also be flattened. This arrangement enables the outermost

surface of a tyne 29 or 33 to be positioned substantially flat on a surface to facilitate location of a tyne 29 or 33 beneath a rope lying on the surface and lifting the rope from the surface.

The tine 29 of the hook 13 (including the bulbous member 30) defines with the arm 32 a recess 35 of re-entrant form. This enables a rope or line to be captured therein and manipulated as required. The leading end 36 of the arm 32 also serves as an abutment surface which may be used to push against a surface for example by fending off.

The line handling apparatus is particularly suited for use in handling a mooring line 37 of the type having a loop 38 at one end defined by an end portion 39 of the line 37 which is looped back on itself and secured such as by means of a splice 40 to a further portion of the line 37 (see Fig. 9). The splice 40 which constitutes a transversely enlarged portion of the line 37 can be engaged with the channel shaped member 15 of the hook head 10 by being pressed into the entrance 18 in the member 15 to cause the flanges or jaws 16 to be resiliently deflected and to be received in the interior 19 of the member 15 with the splice 40 being gripped resiliently by the flanges or jaws 16. In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 9, the splice 40 is positioned to be resiliently gripped by the member 15 such that the loop 38 is extends forwardly of the head 10. The orientation of the splice 40 however may be reversed as shown in Fig. 10 so that the loop 38 is positioned rearwardly of the head 10 for different applications.

In use and as shown in Fig. 11 and where the head 10 is part of a boat hook 41, a mooring line 37 having a loop 38 at one end defined by a splice 40 in the line 37 required to be located over an anchor point such as a cleat 42 or the like is engaged with the channel member 15 of the line gripper 12 in the manner described with reference to Fig. 9 with the splice 40 being located within the channel member 15. The boat hook 41 can then be manipulated to position the loop 38 over the cleat 42 as shown in Fig. 11. The boat hook 41 is then retracted in the direction A of Fig. 11. Retraction of the boat hook 41 will move the splice 40 longitudinally of the channel member 15 and then out of the channel member 15 so that the splice 40 is released from the channel member 15 as shown in Fig.12 whilst leaving the loop 38 over the cleat 42. A boat may thus be effectively and rapidly moored in this manner.

If the loop 38 is to be removed from the cleat 42, the boat hook 41 can be manipulated to position the leading hook 13 under part of the line 37 defining the loop

38, this part of the line 37 locating and being captured in the recess 35 as shown in Fig. 13. The boat hook 41 can then be used to lift the loop 38 from the cleat 42. The leading hook 13 is provided as it more readily enables hooking onto the loop 38 rather than using the rear hook 14 as the line gripper 15 on opposite sides of the rear hook 14 tends to get in the way and limit or prevent the trailing hook 14 being used to hook onto the loop 38. In addition, a line hooked by the leading hook 13 will be captured within the recess 35 and can thus be more readily manipulated without the risk of the line 37 being dropped.

Whilst the boat hook 41 is described with reference to engaging the loop 38 with a cleat, it will be appreciated that the loop 38 can be positioned over a pile, bollard or any other upright member.

As described with reference to Fig. 10, the looped line 38 can be alternatively positioned in the case illustrated with the enlarged portion 40 of the line 37 being gripped by the gripper 12 so that the loop 38 extends rearwardly from the head 10. This configuration allows the loop 38 to be positioned through an enlarged eye or the like of a mooring buoy or allows the line 37 to be lassoed around a pile or other upright member.

For the latter purpose, the free end of the line 37 can be passed back through the loop 38 with the free end of the line 37 then for example being held by the operator. This thus forms an enlarged loop which can be manipulated over a bollard or upright member such that when the boat hook 41 is retracted, the enlarged portion 40 if the line will be detached from the gripper 12 leaving the line 37 looped around the bollard or upright.

Fig. 14 illustrates a simplified embodiment of the invention in which the line gripper 12 is used separately apart from the hook head 10. In this case the line gripper 12 is mounted by an adaptor 43 to a pole 44 such as a telescopic pole and held to the pole 44 by screws 45 passed through aligned holes in the line gripper 12 and adaptor 43. The simplified version may be used in a similar manner to that described above with reference to Figs. 9 and 10 for manipulating a line.

Fig. 15 illustrates a modified form of alternative hook head 46 for a boat hook which is similar to the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 4 however the leading end 47 of the hook head 46 is provided with an insert 48 which is detachably engaged with the remainder of the head 46 so as to define when detached (as shown) a slot 49 extending transversely and centrally of the head 46 from the lower to the upper side of the head 46 in Fig. 15. The slot 49 is of a width to enable a snap hook or shackle 50 (shown in

dotted outline) to be received and held fictionally therein. The shackle 50 is connected to a mooring rope 51 with the splice 52 thereof captured by the clamp 12. The remainder of the rope 51 can be passed along the pole 27 to be held by hand.

Using this arrangement, the snap hook or shackle 50 can be positioned by manipulating the handle 27 of the boat hook and snap engaging the hook or shackle 50 with an eye or other anchor point for example on a mooring buoy. The pole handle 27 may thereafter be retracted to detach the splice 52 longitudinally from the clamp 12 to leave the mooring rope 51 coupled through the hook or shackle 50 to the eye or anchor point. After use, the insert 48 may be reinserted into the slot 49 to be held therein. The insert 48 has a forwardly extending spigot 53 which may be located in a bore in the slot

49 to assist in normally retaining the insert 48 in the slot 49.

It will be appreciated that the channel shaped member 15 of the line gripper 12 may be varied in size to suit the lines or ropes with which the line handling device is to be used. Furthermore, the book hook 41 may be provided without the line gripper 12 attached to the body 11 so that it simply has the two hooks 13 and 14 on one side which can perform a hooking function.

Whilst the line gripper 12 is shown to be a separate member from the body 11, it may be formed integrally with the body 11. In addition, the body 11 may have in some situations only a single hook comprising either a leading hook 13 or a trailing hook 14. the hooks 13 and 14 of course may be of various designs and configurations other than that illustrated and described.

Whilst Figs. 9 to 13 illustrate alternative uses of the line gripper 12 and boat hook 12 of the invention, it may be used in different applications using similar principles to that described. The terms "comprising" or "comprises" as used throughout the specification and claims are taken to specify the presence of the stated features, integers and components referred to but not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other feature/s, integer/s, component/s or group thereof.

Whilst the above has been given by way of illustrative embodiment of the invention, all such variations and modifications thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as herein described.