The present patent application for industrial invention relates to a moulded boat fender with flat elongated shape characterised by solid monolithic structure.

The manufacture of the invention is the first alternative to the traditional technology of inflatable boat fenders with cylindrical shape.

The need for an alternative to the traditional technology arises from the evaluation of the great inconveniences that characterise traditional boat fenders, in spite of their large success on the market.

As it is known, traditional boat fenders basically comprise a cylindrical or spherical air tube, provided on top with an eyelet for the line used to handle the fender and hang it in operating position.

Fenders must be sometimes positioned on the upperworks of the boat to protect it from shocks against docks and other boats. Sometimes they are removed during navigation because of the problems caused by their presence on the external side of the boat.

Users of traditional inflatable boat fenders know very well the serious inconveniences that are, for example, related to the possibility of explosion in case of strong pressure, as well as to the need for frequent inflation, since ordinary pressure often results in deflation.

In addition, other disadvantages of traditional boat fenders are represented by large dimensions and heavy weight, resulting in difficult handling.

During navigation traditional boat fenders must be hoisted aboard and preferably positioned in suitable racks to prevent them from rolling on deck due to their geometrical configuration.

Another inconvenience of inflatable boat fenders is that the continuous friction against the hull (mostly of white colour) originates visible superficial

dirt that is often very hard to remove.

The careful examination of the drawbacks of the traditional technology has resulted in the design of the new boat fender of the invention, which is characterised by numerous advantages compared to traditional cylindrical boat fenders.

As mentioned above, the first characteristic of the new boat fender of the invention is represented by the flat elongated shape and solid monolithic structure obtained by moulding a special thermoplastic material, commonly known as EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate), preferably of the type marketed by Chemical Universe S. L., a Spanish manufacturer located in Caudete (Albacete), with the name"Unichem".

This material has been selected after a careful examination of its advantageous properties.

The structure of EVA boat fenders is highly resistant (that is to say capable of withstanding very high pressure values with no damage) and extremely light (that is to say very easy to handle).

The basically indeformable solid monolithic structure avoids the need for the maintenance that is required in the case of traditional inflatable boat fenders, as soon as the internal pressure decreases.

Likewise, the intrinsic lightness of the new boat fender is combined with the reduced volume of the flat, elongated structure, thus making it very easy to stow it inside boat peaks.

Once moulded, the material used for the new boat fender (EVA) is characterised by the presence of an external resistant protection film that is extremely slippery and totally"incision-proof', thus protecting the boat fender from damage also in the case of energetic friction against the wall of the dock or the side of another boat.

The presence of the smooth resistant film ensures that, unlike traditional boat fenders, the boat fender of the invention does not get the upperworks dirty.

Another advantage of the invention is represented by the presence of

a hooking point on both ends, thus improving handling operations.

One of the two hooking points can be traditionally used to hook the main line and hang the fender onto the upperworks.

The second hooking point can be used for a short cable, possibly with hook, to hang the fender to the hull stays, when it must be temporarily lowered for short navigation. After navigation the cable can be rapidly unhooked from the stay, thus allowing the fender to recover the ordinary operating position on the upperworks thanks to gravity.

Finally, the use of the special material provides for the production of fire-retardant, non-toxic recyclable boat fenders.

For major clarity the description of the invention continues with reference to the enclosed drawings, which are intended for purposes of illustration and not in a limiting sense, whereby Figure 1 is an axonometric view of the fender of the invention and Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view of two fenders, the first one in operating position on the upperworks and the second in raised position and hooked to the boat stay. The fender (1) of the invention shown in the aforementioned figures has the approximate shape of a large fish. Obviously, the fender made of moulded EVA can have any other flat elongated shape.

The figure shows two hooking points for handling operations ; assuming that the fish-shaped fender (1) must be placed head down in operating position, the anchoring point of the main handling line (CM) is represented by the narrower cross-section (2) of the tail, while the anchoring point of the hooking cable (CA) to the stay is represented by the through hole (3) obtained on the fish head during moulding.

It appears evident that the fender (1) can be provided with different anchoring means for lines, according to the different requirements, as long as they are obtained when moulding the EVA monolithic structure of the invention.