Technical Field

The present disclosure is directed towards a marine cleat mount for mounting to a marine horn cleat, a marine ladder, and a method for mounting such a mount and ladder in a marine application.

Background

Ladders for marine applications are commonly used by users to board a marine vessel from a body of water, such as the sea, in which the marine vessel is floating. The ladder may be mounted to the marine vessel via the mount. At times when the ladder is not in use, the ladder may be stowed or otherwise stored on board so that the ladder does not interfere with the performance of the marine vessel or accidentally engage another marine vessel, a person, a dock, or another object. For example, the ladder may be removably mounted to the marine vessel, comprise connection means for connecting it to the marine vessel and/or be foldable.

Ladders and other mountable devices may also be used in other marine application, in addition to boarding marine vessels. For example, a ladder may be used to ascend from the sea onto a dock.

One such removably mounted ladder is a rope or cable ladder which can be tied to any suitable component of a boat. However, rope or cable ladders are unstable and difficult to climb. US8356568B1 discloses a hook type ladder which attaches to a gunwale or toe-rail. These ladders, due to fore and aft rocking motion of a marine vessel can cause a ladder's hooks to “walk” over the toe-rail which can cast a user into the water. US2015114754A1 discloses ladders requiring external means of attaching them to the boat, such as via a bracket screwed permanently into the hull. These ladders cannot be deployed to different positions on the marine vessel where it is needed, and the marine vessel must be adapted prior to use.

A further concern is that removable ladders must be stored onboard the marine vessel when not in use. Space is often at a premium on board a marine vessel and therefore a ladder which does not take up much space is beneficial. To address this, ladders, such as the one presented in US2015114754A1 , can be foldable. Foldable ladders have mechanical hinges or other mechanisms which increase weight and complexity of the ladder and are liable to fail. A further consideration is the inclusion of a “stand-off” feature which keeps the ladder at a predetermined angle relative to the marine vessel during use, making it easier to climb. Without a “stand-off,” the user’s fingers and toes on the rungs of a ladders maybe jammed against a hull of the marine vessel, making it difficult to climb into the boat. In addition, the ladder may be unstable during use. However, including a “stand-off” feature will make the ladder take up more space on board the marine vessel, or, to avoid this, may require more mechanical hinges or other mechanisms with the aforementioned problems.

Summary

The present disclosure is directed towards a marine ladder which addresses the aforementioned issues. The present disclosure is directed to a cleat mount for mounting a marine ladder or other marine device to a cleat, particularly a horn cleat, and a marine ladder comprising such a cleat mount. The present disclosure is directed to a marine ladder substantially extending in a single plane substantially perpendicular to the side of the marine vessel or other apparatus to which the ladder is attached. Objects of the present invention include providing a ladder which removably attaches to an existing component of a marine vessel, is stable and is easy to climb.

The present invention therefore provides a cleat mount, marine ladder, kit of parts, assembly, and method in accordance with the claims.

The marine ladder comprises a rigid frame member from which at least one rung extends; an engagement arm extending from the frame member and comprising a mount for mounting the marine ladder to a marine apparatus; and a support arm extending from the frame member for engaging and supporting the frame member against the marine apparatus. The engagement arm and support arm are configured to maintain the frame member in a mounted configuration at a predetermined distance from the marine vessel when the mount is mounted to the horn cleat and the support arm engages the marine apparatus.

The marine apparatus may be a marine vessel, dock, jetty, pontoon, or the like.

The frame member, engagement arm, at least one rung and support arm may extend in a first plane. As a result, the at least one rung extends substantially perpendicular to the side of the marine apparatus. Persons climbing the ladder therefore have clearance on the opposite side of the ladder for their feet, particularly with flippers or the like on their feet.

The marine apparatus may be a marine vessel and the support arm may be for engaging and supporting the frame member against the hull of the marine vessel. The engagement arm and support arm may be configured to maintain the frame member in a mounted configuration at a predetermined distance from the marine vessel when the support arm engages the hull.

The frame member, the engagement arm, the support arm and the at least one rung may together form a unitary rigid object. The at least one rung may comprise two or more rungs at different axial locations along the frame member. The at least one rung may comprise at least one pair of rungs extending from opposite sides of the frame member at the same axial location.

The engagement arm may extend from the frame member along an engagement arm axis to the mount. The mount may be configured to mount the engagement arm to the marine apparatus such that the engagement arm is rotationally fixed relative to the marine apparatus about the engagement arm axis and/or rotationally fixed relative to the marine apparatus orthogonally to the engagement arm axis.

The present disclosure also provides a cleat mount for a marine device, which may be the aforementioned marine ladder, a diving board, a fishing rod, a swim platform, a detachable motor, a fender or the like. Thus, the mount of the marine ladder may be a cleat mount for mounting the ladder to a cleat of the marine apparatus and the engagement arm and support arm are configured to maintain the frame member in a mounted configuration at a predetermined distance from the marine vessel when the mount is mounted to the cleat of the marine apparatus. The present disclosure also provides a marine ladder comprising the cleat mount, optionally with the frame member, engagement arm, at least one rung and support arm extending in a first plane.

The cleat mount is for mounting a marine device to a marine horn cleat and comprises an engagement bar for mounting the marine device thereto and a flange member extending from the engagement bar for engaging a side of the cleat for restraining rotation of the cleat mount around a first cleat axis of the cleat. The cleat mount may comprise at least one hook extending from the engagement bar and/or flange member for at least partially encircling a cross bar of the cleat for restraining rotation of the cleat mount about a second cleat axis, the second cleat axis being orthogonal to the first cleat axis. The cleat mount may further comprise a locking plate extending from the engagement bar and/or flange member for passing under the cross bar.

The at least one hook may comprise first and second hooks for partially encircling opposing first and second ends of the cross bar respectively, the first cleat axis extending between the first and second ends. The engagement bar may extend between the first and second hooks and the flange member may extend from the engagement bar between the first and second hooks. The or each hook may be L-shaped and may extend under the cross bar from the engagement bar and/or flange member and partially around the cross bar.

The flange member may extend from engagement bar away from the at least one hook and may be for mounting against at least one leg of the cleat to which the cross bar is mounted. The locking plate may be configured to extend between a pair of legs of the cleat to which the cross bar is mounted. The cleat mount may be configured to mount the marine device to the cleat by rotating the cleat mount around the first cleat axis.

The present disclosure also provides a kit of parts comprising a cleat for a marine vessel and the aforementioned marine ladder with a cleat mount, wherein the marine ladder is configured to be mounted to the cleat.

The present disclosure also provides an assembly comprising: a marine vessel, the marine vessel comprising a cleat; and the aforementioned marine ladder with a cleat mount, the marine ladder being mounted to the cleat.

The present disclosure also provides a method of mounting the aforementioned marine ladder to a marine vessel comprising a cleat, the method comprising: engaging the cleat mount with the cleat; and rotating the marine ladder until the support arm engages a hull of the marine vessel such that the frame member is supported against the hull of the marine vessel. Engaging the cleat mount with the cleat may comprise inserting at least one hook in between the cleat and the marine vessel. Rotating the marine ladder may comprise rotating the marine ladder about the first cleat axis.

The disclosure will be better understood according to the following clauses:

1 . A ladder for the boarding of a marine vessel comprising: a rigid frame member from which at least one rung extends; an engagement arm extending from the frame member and comprising a cleat mount for mounting to a cleat of the marine vessel; and a support arm extending from the frame member for engaging and supporting the frame member against a hull of the marine vessel, wherein the engagement arm and support arm are configured to maintain the frame member in a mounted configuration at a predetermined distance from the marine vessel when the cleat mount is mounted to the cleat and the support arm engages the hull.

2. The ladder of claim 1 wherein the frame member, the engagement arm, the support arm and the at least one rung together form a unitary rigid object.

3. The ladder of claim 1 or 2 wherein the engagement arm extends from the frame member along a first axis to the cleat mount.

4. The ladder of claim 3 wherein the cleat mount is configured to mount the engagement arm to the cleat such that the engagement arm is rotationally fixed relative to the cleat about the first axis.

5. The ladder of any one of the preceding claims wherein the cleat mount comprises at least one hook for at least partially encircling the cleat.

6. The ladder of any one of the preceding claims wherein the cleat mount comprises two hooks for partially encircling opposing ends of the cleat.

7. The ladder of claim 5 or claim 6 when dependent upon claim 3 wherein the at least one hook at least partially encircles the cleat such that the engagement arm is rotationally fixed relative to the cleat about the first axis.

8. The ladder of any preceding claim wherein the at least one rung comprises two or more rungs at different axial locations along the frame member.

9. The ladder of any preceding claim wherein the at least one rung comprises at least one pair of rungs extending from opposite sides of the frame member at the same axial location.

10. The ladder of any preceding claim wherein the frame member and engagement arm extend along a first plane.

11 . The ladder of claim 10 wherein the support arm extends along the first plane.

12. The ladder of claim 10 or 11 wherein the at least one rung extends along the first plane.

13. The ladder of any of claims 3 to 12 wherein a second axis is perpendicular the first axis and centred at the cleat mount, and the cleat mount is configured to mount the engagement arm to the cleat by rotating the engagement arm around the second axis. 14. The ladder of claim 13 wherein a third axis is perpendicular to the first and second axes, and the cleat mount is configured to mount the engagement arm to the cleat such that the engagement arm is rotationally fixed relative to the cleat about the third axis.

15. The ladder of any preceding claim wherein the cleat mount further comprises a flange member for engaging a side of the cleat.

16. The ladder of claim 15, when dependent upon claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the flange is located on an opposing side of the cleat mount to the hooks.

17. The ladder of claim 15 or 16, when dependent upon claim 14, wherein the flange is configured to engage the cleat such that the engagement arm is rotationally fixed relative to the cleat about the third axis.

18. The ladder of any preceding claim wherein the cleat mount further comprises a locking plate for passing under a cross bar of the cleat.

19. The ladder of claim 18 when dependent upon claim 3 wherein the locking plate is configured to engage the cleat such that the engagement arm is rotationally fixed relative to the cleat about the first axis.

20. A kit of parts comprising a cleat for a marine vessel and the ladder of any preceding claims, wherein the ladder is configured to be mounted to the cleat.

21 . An assembly comprising: a marine vessel, the marine vessel comprising a cleat; and the ladder of any one of claims 1 to 17, the ladder being mounted to the cleat.

22. A method of mounting a ladder of any of claims 1 to 19 to a marine vessel comprising a cleat, the method comprising: engaging the cleat mount with the cleat; and rotating the ladder until the support arm engages a hull of the marine vessel such that the frame member is supported against the hull of the marine vessel.

23. The method of claim 22 comprising the ladder of claims 5 or 6 wherein engaging the cleat mount with the cleat comprises inserting at least one hook in between the cleat and the marine vessel.

24. The method of claim 22 or 23 comprising the ladder of claim 13 wherein rotating the ladder comprises rotating the ladder about the second axis.

25. A ladder comprising: a rigid frame member from which at least one rung extends; an engagement arm extending from the frame member for engaging a marine vessel; and a support arm extending from the frame member for engaging and supporting the frame member against a hull of the marine vessel, wherein the rigid frame member, the at least one rung, the engagement arm, and the support arm all extend in a first plane.

Brief Description of the Drawings

By way of example only, embodiments of the present disclosure are now described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevation of a marine device, in this case a marine ladder, mounted to a marine apparatus, in this case a marine vessel, via a cleat mount in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the marine ladder and cleat mount of Figure 1 ;

FIGURE 3 is a magnified perspective view of the underside of the cleat mount of Figure 1 ;

FIGURE 4 is a magnified perspective view illustrating the mounting of the marine ladder of Figure 1 to a cleat of the marine vessel;

FIGURE 5 is a magnified perspective view illustrating the marine ladder mounted to the cleat of Figure 4; and

FIGURE 6 is a front elevation of a further embodiment of the marine device, in this case a marine ladder, mounted to a marine apparatus, in this case a marine vessel, via a mount in accordance with the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

The present disclosure relates to a ladder for marine apparatuses and a cleat mount for attaching a marine device, such as a marine ladder, to an existing cleat of a marine vessel, such as a marine vessel. The ladder is rigid and comprises a support arm as a “stand-off” feature to keep the ladder stable against the hull of the boat, such that it is easy to climb. In addition, many of the components of the ladder may lie and/or extend in a single plane such that it is easy to store and does not take up unnecessary space when kept on board the marine vessel. The ladder may comprise the cleat mount or other mount for mounting it to the marine apparatus. The cleat mount prevents rotation of the marine device relative to the cleat around two axes such that the marine device is stable in use. These features still allow the marine device to be rotated around one axis such that the marine device can be mounted and dismounted from the cleat.

Although the disclosed cleat mount has been mainly described in the context of a ladder, it could also be used for other marine devices, such as a diving board, a fishing rod, a swim platform, or a detachable motor. In addition, although the ladder has been mainly described as mounted to the marine apparatus via the cleat mount, the ladder of the present disclosure, such as with its components lying and/or extending in a single plane, can be mounted to the marine apparatus in other ways, such as via a hole in the gunwale into which a portion of the ladder is inserted.

In addition, although the ladder and cleat mount are mainly described as being attached to a marine vessel, it will be appreciated that they may alternatively be mounted to another type of marine apparatus, such as a dock, jetty, pontoon, or the like.

In accordance with the present invention, Figure 1 shows an exemplary marine apparatus, in this case a marine vessel 1 comprising a hull 2 with a cleat 3 attached thereto. As shown, the marine vessel 1 may be submerged in a body of water 5 such as the sea. The cleat 3 may be attached to any location along the sides or rear of the marine vessel 1 . In the illustrated embodiment, the cleat 3 is shown attached to the side of the marine vessel 1 . A ladder 10 for the boarding of the marine vessel 1 by a user in accordance with the present invention may be mounted to the cleat 3.

The ladder 10 is shown in more detail in Figure 2. The ladder 10 comprises a rigid frame member 14 from which at least one rung 16 extends. The ladder 10 further comprises an engagement arm 18 extending from the frame member 14 and comprising a mount 20 for mounting to the marine apparatus, in this case comprising a cleat mount 20 for mounting to the cleat 3 of the marine vessel 1 . The ladder 10 further comprises a support arm 22 extending from the frame member 14 for engaging and supporting the frame member 14 against a hull 2 of the marine vessel 1 (as shown in Figure 1 ). The engagement arm 18 and support arm 22 are configured to maintain the frame member 14 in a mounted configuration at a predetermined distance from the marine vessel 1 when the cleat mount 20 is mounted to the cleat 3 and the support arm 22 engages the hull 2.

The frame member 14, the engagement arm 18, the support arm 22 and the at least one rung 16 may together form a unitary rigid object. The ladder 10 may entirely be formed of a single material. The ladder 10 may be formed of metal and/or a corrosion resistant metal, such as aluminium alloy or stainless steel. Alternatively, and/or additionally, the ladder 10 may be formed of a rigid light weight material such as a carbon composite and/or different materials. For example, the frame member 14 may be formed of aluminium alloy and the at least one rung 16 of a carbon composite. The ladder 10 may be formed as a single piece of the components of the ladder 10 may be formed as separate pieces and joined together using methods such as welding.

The frame member 14 may comprise an elongate body extending along a frame member axis 41 from a first frame member end 43 to a second frame member end 45. The longest dimension of the frame member 14 may be along the frame member axis 41 and the frame member 14 may be elongate along the frame member axis 41. In use, in which the ladder 10 may be mounted to a marine vessel 1 partially submerged in water 5, the frame member axis 41 may be aligned with the vertical direction (i.e. , substantially orthogonal to the water surface) such that a user climbing the ladder 10 ascends from the second frame member end 45 to the first frame member end 43 substantially upwardly along the frame member axis 41 . In use, the second frame member end 45 may be submerged in water and the first frame member end 43 may be substantially in line with a deck or a gunwale of the marine vessel 1 .

The frame member 14 may comprise a substantially straight prismatic member and may comprise a circular cross section. The frame member 14 may have a length of between 100 cm to 150 cm and/or a diameter of between 5 cm and 10 cm. The length of the frame member 14 may depend on the dimensions of the marine vessel 1 or other marine apparatus for which the ladder 10 is designed. For example, if the marine vessel 1 comprises a deck or a gunwale which is, in use, far above the water line, the frame member 14 may have a length of more than 150 cm. If the marine vessel 1 comprises a deck or a gunwale which is, in use, close to the water line, the frame member 14 may have a length of less than 100 cm. The frame member 14 may comprise a square or other shaped cross section. In addition, the frame member 14 may comprise another form that allows a user to, in use, ascend from the second frame member end 45 to the first frame member end 43. The frame member 14 may comprise a single unitary member.

The at least one rung 16 may be formed of a rigid material and configured to support the weight of a user. The at least one rung 16 may comprise a substantially straight prismatic member and may comprise a circular cross section. The or each rung 16 may be long enough to support the foot of a user, or two feet of a user. The or each rung 16 may comprise a grip surface thereon for providing grip to a user and/or a flange at its outer end for preventing outward slipping of a user’s foot from the rung 16. The at least one rung 16 may comprise two or more rungs 16 at different axial locations along the frame member 14. The two or more rungs 16 may comprise a first rung 61 and a second rung 63, in which case the first rung 61 is at a different location along the frame member axis 41 to the second rung 63. The first and second rung 61 , 63 may be parallel to each other. Each rung 16 may comprise the same or different shape and/or material. The rungs 16 may be spaced at equidistant spacing along the frame member 14. The ladder 10 may comprise at least three rungs 16 and/or ten or fewer rungs 16. The ladder 10 may comprise two to six rungs 16 located along the frame member axis 41 below the support arm 22, and two to six rungs 16 located along the frame member axis 41 above the support arm 22.

The at least one rung 16 may comprise at least one pair of rungs 16 extending from opposite sides of the frame member 14 at the same axial location. Alternatively, each rung 16 of the pair of rungs 16 may extend from opposite sides of the frame member 14 at the different axial locations. Each rung 16 of the pair of rungs 16 may extend by the same amount out from the frame member 14 such that each rung 16 has the same length.

If the at least one rung 16 comprise two or more rungs 16 at different axial locations along the frame member 14, one or more of the two or more rungs 16 may comprise a pair of rungs 16 extending from opposite sides of the frame member 14 as described above. The uppermost rung 16 may comprise a single rung 16 (i.e., without another rung 16 at the same axial location) as shown in the illustrated embodiment.

Rungs 16 of the at least one rung 16 proximate to the second frame member end 45 may be configured to be submerged in the water 5 in use and rungs 16 proximate to the first frame member end 43 may be configured to be external to the water 5 in use.

The engagement arm 18 may extend from the frame member 14 along an engagement arm axis 81 to the mount 20. The longest dimension of the engagement arm 18 may be along the engagement arm axis 81 and the engagement arm 18 may be elongate along the engagement arm axis 81. The frame member 14 and engagement arm 18 may substantially extend along a first plane 82 (i.e., their longest dimensions extending in the first plane 82) and the frame member axis 41 and engagement arm axis 81 may be in the first plane 82. The engagement arm 18 may comprise a length between 50 cm and 100 cm. The length of the engagement arm 18 may depend on the dimensions of the marine apparatus for which the ladder 10 is designed. For example, if the marine vessel 1 comprises a gunwale which is very wide, or the cleat 3 is set back from the outer perimeter of the marine vessel 1 , the engagement arm 18 may have a length of more than 100 cm. If the marine vessel 1 comprises a gunwale which is very narrow, or the cleat 3 is set close to the outer perimeter of the marine vessel 1 , the engagement arm 18 may have a length of less than 50 cm.

The engagement arm 18 may extend from the frame member 14 at or proximate to the first frame member end 43. The engagement arm 18 may comprise a substantially straight prismatic member and may have a circular, square or other cross section. The engagement arm 18 may be directly mounted to and extend directly from the frame member 14. Alternatively, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, the ladder 10 may comprise an intermediate member 83, which may be curved, extending from the frame member 14 and the engagement arm 18 may extend from the intermediate member 83.

In use, the engagement arm 18 may be located between the frame member 14 and the marine apparatus or vessel 1 . The engagement arm 18 may act as a connection between the frame member 14 and the marine apparatus or vessel 1 and keep the frame member 14 at a constant distance from the marine apparatus or vessel 1 .

The ladder 10 may further comprise an engagement arm support rib 85 configured to strengthen the connection between the engagement arm 18 and the frame member 14. The engagement arm support rib 85 may comprise a triangle plate. The engagement arm support rib 85 may extend from the frame member 14 and the engagement arm 18.

The ladder 10 may further comprise a handle 87. The handle 87 may extend from the engagement arm 18. The handle 86 may comprise a solid rung. The handle 87 may lie in the first plane 82. The handle 87 may extend from the engagement arm 18 in the opposite direction to the frame member 14.

In other embodiments, the handle 87 may comprise a lever arm. The lever arm may extend from the engagement arm 18. The lever arm may extend parallel, or substantially parallel to the frame member axis 41 . The lever arm may extend from the engagement arm 18 in the opposite direction to the frame member 14. The lever arm can be of use in an embodiment with a ladder 10 of significantly longer length to aid raising and lowering a ladder 10. The support arm 22 may extend from a point which is substantially midway along the frame member 14. The support arm 22 may extend in the same direction as the engagement arm 18.

The support arm 22 may have a length between 50 cm and 100 cm. The length of the support arm 22 may depend on the dimensions of the marine apparatus or vessel 1 for which the ladder 10 is designed. For example, if the marine vessel 1 comprises a gunwale which extends beyond the hull 2 which the support arm 22 engages, the support arm 22 may have a length of more than 100 cm. If the marine vessel 1 comprises a hull 2 which the support arm 22 engages which extends beyond the gunwale, the engagement arm 18 may have a length of less than 50 cm.

The support arm 22 may comprise a support plate 121 at its distal end. The support plate 121 may have an area of between 5 cm ^A 2 and 10 cm ^A 2. The support plate 121 may be configured to abut the hull 2 of the marine vessel 1 in use. The support plate 121 may have a substantially square configuration. The support plate 121 may comprise a friction increasing material on its outer surface to increase the stability of the engagement. The friction increasing material may be a foam or a rubber material. The friction increasing material may enhance friction and improve the engagement of the support plate 121 against the hull 2. The friction increasing material may also protect the hull 2 and the support plate 121.

The support arm 22 may extend to the same distance from the frame member 14 as the engagement arm 18. Alternatively, the support arm 22 may extend from the frame member 14 a lesser or greater distance than the engagement arm 18. This may be if the marine vessel 1 comprises a hull 2 that is stepped in or stepped out from the deck or gunwale of the marine vessel 1 .

The support arm 22 may extend along the first plane 82 and may extend substantially parallel to the engagement arm axis 81 . The longest dimension of the support arm 22 may be in the first plane 82. The support arm 22 may extend in the same general direction as the engagement arm 18 and may be angled up or down relative to the engagement arm 18. Alternatively, the support arm 22 may comprise two or more support arms 22 which do not extend along the first plane 82, while each support arm 22 comprises a component of extension in the same direction of the engagement arm 18, the engagement arm axis 81 and/or the first plane 82. The two or more support arms 22 may collectively support the frame member 14 at a pre-determined distance from the marine vessel 1 . It may be beneficial to only comprise one support arm 22 extending in the first pane 82 in order for the ladder 10 to use a minimal amount of space when stored onboard.

In addition, the at least one rung 16 may extend along the first plane 82 such that the longest dimension of the at least one rung 16 is in the first plane 82. If the at least one rung 16 comprises more than one rung 16, such as first rung 61 and second rung 63, all the rungs 16 may extend along the first plane 82. All the rungs 16 may extend in the direction of the first axis. This orientation of extension is beneficial in order for the ladder 10 to use a minimal amount of space when stored on board. Alternatively, the first and second rungs 61 , 63, when parallel, may define a second plane in which they both extend. The first pane 82 may coincide with the second plane. Alternatively, the first and second plane may not coincide. An angle between the first and second plane may be less than 85 degrees, less than 60 degrees or less than 30 degrees.

The cleat mount 20 is for mounting to a cleat 3, particularly a marine horn cleat 3 as illustrated. In the present disclosure a marine horn cleat 3 means a cleat 3 comprising a cross bar 200 mounted to at least one leg 201 , 202, preferably first and second legs 201 , 202. The cross bar 200 extends between first and second cross bar ends 205, 206. The at least one leg 201 , 202 may be mounted to a cleat foot 203 as illustrated.

As best illustrated in Figures 2 to 5, the cleat mount 20 may comprise an engagement bar 101 mounted to the engagement arm 18. The engagement bar 101 may be mounted to an end of the engagement arm 18 distal from the frame member 14. The engagement bar 101 may comprise a longitudinal member and extend perpendicular to the engagement arm 18. The engagement bar 101 may extend along a first mount axis 131 and the first mount axis 131 may be orthogonal to the engagement arm axis 81 . The engagement bar 101 may extend in a direction perpendicular to the engagement arm axis 81 and/or the frame member axis 41 . In use, the engagement bar 101 may extend in a direction parallel to the perimeter of a marine apparatus or vessel 1 and/or along a centreline of the marine vessel 1 . The engagement bar 101 may be configured to abut the cleat 3, such as the cross bar 200, attached to the marine apparatus or vessel 1 in use. The ladder 10 may further comprise a cleat mount support rib 102 configured to strengthen the connection between the engagement arm 18 and the cleat mount 20. The cleat mount support rib 102 may comprise a triangular plate. The cleat mount support rib 102 may comprise two triangular plates located on opposite sides of the engagement arm 18. The cleat mount support rib 102 may extend from the engagement arm 18 and the engagement bar 101.

The cleat mount 20 may comprise at least one hook 103 for at least partially encircling the cleat 3 and in particular the cross bar 200. The at least one hook 103 may extend from the engagement bar 101 and may be L-shaped. The at least one hook 103 may extend away from the engagement bar 101 , such as substantially parallel to the engagement arm axis 81 . Distal to the engagement bar 101 the at least one hook 103 may extend, such as by being curved, in the direction of, or parallel to, the frame member axis 41 and/or a second mount axis 107, the second mount axis 107 being perpendicular to the first mount axis 131.

The at least one hook 103 may extend from an end of the engagement bar 101. The cleat mount 20 may comprise first and second hooks 103 which may each extend from opposing ends of the engagement bar 101 . The first and second hooks 103 are for partially encircling opposing ends of the cleat 3, such as the opposing first and second cross bar ends 205, 206.

Figure 5 shows the ladder 10 and the cleat 3 in a fully mounted configuration. In the fully mounted configuration, the at least one hook 103 partially encircles the cleat 3. As shown in the illustrated example, the at least one hook member 103 encircles an end of the cleat 3. The at least one hook 103 may enable the cleat mount 20 to engage the cleat 3 in a secure manner. The at least one hook 103 may prevent the cleat mount 20 from becoming detached from the cleat 3 during use. The at least one hook 103 may therefore prevent the frame member 14 from becoming unconnected from the marine vessel 1 during use.

The at least one hook 103 may comprise a friction increasing material on its inner surface to increase the stability of the connection. The friction increasing material may be a foam or a rubber material. The friction increasing material may enhance friction and improve the engagement of the cleat mount 20 to the cleat 3. The friction increasing material may also protect the cleat 3 and the at least one hook 103. The cleat mount 20 may be configured to mount the engagement arm 18 to the cleat 3 such that the engagement arm 18 is rotationally fixed relative to the cleat 3 about the engagement arm axis 81 . The at least one hook 103 may at least partially encircle the cleat 3 in use such that the engagement arm 18 is rotationally fixed relative to the cleat 3 about the engagement arm axis 81 and/or along the first mount axis 131 . Rotationally fixing the engagement arm 18 relative to the engagement arm axis 81 in use can allow a user to climb the ladder 10 more easily.

The cleat mount 20 may further comprise a flange member 105, which may be a tongue extending downwardly from the engagement bar 101. The flange member 105 is extends from the engagement bar 101 and is for engaging or abutting a side of the cleat 3 for restraining rotation of the cleat mount 20 around the first mount axis 131 when mounted to the cleat. The flange member 105 may be for engaging a side of the cross bar 200 and/or at least one leg 201 , 202.

The flange member 105 may extend from the engagement bar 101 between the first and second hooks 103. The flange member 105 may extend from engagement bar 101 away from the at least one hook 103 and thus may be located on an opposing side of the cleat mount 20 to the at least one hook 103. The flange member 105 may be configured to engage the cleat 3 such that the engagement arm 18 is rotationally fixed relative to the cleat 3 about the second mount axis 107. The second mount axis 107 is parallel to the frame member axis 41 , perpendicular to the first mount axis 131 and/or engagement arm axis 81 and extends through the cleat mount 20. The second mount axis 107 may be perpendicular to the first plane 82. Rotationally fixing the engagement arm 18 relative to the first mount axis 131 in use can allow a user to climb the ladder 10 more easily. The flange member 105 may extend from the engagement bar 101 in the direction of the second mount axis 107. The flange member 105 may not extend along the engagement bar 101 at locations from which the at least one hook 103 extends from the engagement bar 101.

The cleat mount 20 may further comprise a locking plate 106, which may be a tongue extending from the engagement bar 101 and/or flange member 105. The locking plate 106 may comprise a flat plate with a plane substantially perpendicular to the first plane 82 and/or the engagement arm axis 81 and first mount axis 131 . The locking plate 106 may extend from the engagement bar 101 and/or flange member 105 along and/or parallel to the engagement arm axis 81. The locking plate 106 may, in use, engage the cleat 3 such that it passes under the cross bar 200 and may extend between the pair of legs 201 , 202 of the cleat 3. The locking plate 106 may extend from the engagement bar 101 and/or flange member 105 in between the first and second hooks 103. The locking plate 106 is shaped to enhance security and avoid slippage and may for example comprise a thin plate, which may be substantially rectangular or square and may comprise round corners at its free end distal to the flange member 105. The locking plate 106 may cooperate with the hooks 103 to prevent the frame member 14 from becoming unconnected to the marine vessel 1 during use, thereby completing the locking mechanism.

The locking plate 106 may also engage the lower surface of the cross bar 200 of the cleat 3. When a user is using the ladder 10, the user’s weight can pivot the ladder 10 such that the reaction force of the lower surface of the cross bar 200 of the cleat 3 upon the locking plate 106 is increased. The increased reaction force can create an increased friction force which prevents the cleat mount 20 from sliding relative to the cleat 3. The locking plate 106 may cooperate with the hook 103 such that the cleat mount 20 is, in use, rotationally fixed relative to the cleat 3 about the engagement arm axis 81 , cannot move upwardly along the second mount axis 107 and cannot move along the first mount axis 131.

In use, the ladder 10 may be free to rotate around the first mount axis 131 until the support arm 22 abuts the hull 2 of the marine vessel 1 . The cleat mount 20 may configured to be mounted to the cleat 3 such that the cleat mount 20 is rotationally fixed relative to the cleat 3 about the second mount axis 107.

As shown in Figures 1 , 4 and 5, the present disclosure provides a kit of parts comprising a cleat 3 for a marine vessel 1 and the ladder 10 of any preceding claims, wherein the ladder 10 is configured to be mounted to the cleat 3. When mounted, the ladder 10 may be mounted to the cleat 3 securely such that the ladder 10 cannot rotate around the engagement arm 18 or second mount axes 107. The ladder 10 may still be able to rotate around the first mount axis 131 to ensure it can be mounted and dismounted to the cleat 3. The ladder 10 may be kept stable around the first mount axis 131 by means of engagement of the support arm 22 against the hull 2 of the marine vessel 1 . When a user ascends the ladder 10, their weight will keep the support arm 22 in engagement against the hull 2 and so the ladder 10 will be stable around the first mount axis 131 in use.

Figure 1 discloses an assembly comprising a marine vessel 1 , the marine vessel 1 comprising a cleat 3, and the ladder 10, the ladder 10 being mounted to the cleat 3. In use, the ladder 10 may be partially submerged in water 5 such that the first frame member end 43 is above the water 5 and the second frame member end 45 of the frame member 14 is below the water 5. One or more of the lowermost rungs 16 (when more than one rung 16 is present) may be submerged in water 5 while the uppermost rungs 16 may be outside of the water 5. The ladder 10 may be kept stable around the first mount axis 131 by means of engagement of the support arm 22 against the hull 2 of the marine vessel 1 . When a user ascends the ladder 10, their weight will keep the support arm 22 in engagement against the hull 2 and so the ladder 10 will be stable around the first mount axis 131 in use.

The method of mounting ladder 10 to the marine vessel 1 comprising the cleat 3 comprises engaging the cleat mount 20 with the cleat 3; and rotating the ladder 10 until the support arm 22 engages a hull 2 of the marine vessel 1 such that the frame member 14 is supported against the hull 2 of the marine vessel 1 . The cleat mount 20 may be configured to mount the engagement arm 18 to the cleat 3 by rotating the engagement arm 18 around the first mount axis 131.

Figures 4 and 5 show the ladder 10 and the cleat 3 in a partially and a fully mounted configuration, respectively. Mounting the ladder 10 to the cleat 3 comprises configuring the ladder 10 in the partially mounted position shown in Figure 4 and then rotating the ladder 10 to the fully mounted configuration of Figure 5. The direction of the rotation is indicated by arrow 133.

Engaging the cleat mount 20 with the cleat 3 may comprise inserting at least one hook 103 in between the cleat 3 and the marine vessel 1 . Rotating the ladder 10 may comprise rotating the ladder 10 about the first mount axis 131. The ladder 10 may be rotated until the support arm 22 engages the hull 2.

The ladder 10 may comprise a different mount 20 to that shown in Figures 1 to 5. In a further embodiment shown in Figure 6, the engagement arm 18 a mount extension 300 which is inserted into a hole in the gunwale or deck of a marine vessel 1 or side of another marine apparatus when it is mounted. The mount extension 300 may extend perpendicular to the engagement arm axis 81 and may extend towards the support arm 22 from the engagement arm 18. Alternatively, the engagement arm 18 may comprise a hook for hooking over the gunwale or side of the marine apparatus. All other features described in connection with the ladder 10 of Figures 1 to 5, are also applicable to the ladder 10 of the embodiment of Figure 6.