US 6,202,585 B1 · Rubrail mooring line receptacle apparatus

Abstract

A rubrail mooring line receptacle apparatus integrating a rubrail with a mooring line receptacle. A pair of bow mooring lines are connected at their respective near ends to the bow of the watercraft, for example via respective starboard and port cleats, or via a centrally located bow eyelet. The distal end of the bow mooring lines are preferably connected adjustably to an abutment member, preferably in the form of a handle, which is snappably held in place at the gunwale. Port and starboard rubrail mooring line receptacles include a sidewall, a rubrail member integral with a lower portion of the sidewall, and, preferably, a flange member connected to an upper portion of the sidewall. The rubrail member is robust and preferably provides internal and external curvilinear surfaces, wherein the internal surface provides an interior hollow which is preferably concave and is sized to restably receive a bow mooring line therein. A longitudinal slot is provided between the rubrail member and the flange member, which is larger than the diameter of the bow mooring lines. The sidewall is attached to the gunwale of a selected watercraft via a suitable attachment modality. Where bow cleats are used, it is preferred to include a guide member to assist initial entry of the bow mooring line into its respective port or starboard rubrail mooring line receptacle. A preferred material for the port and starboard rubrail mooring line receptacles is a sturdy, ultraviolet resistant material, as for example polyvinylchloride (PVC) having a hardness of 80-85 shore A.

Claims13

Dependent claims

A rubrail mooring line receptacle apparatus for a watercraft, comprising:

at least one rubrail mooring line receptacle comprising:
a sidewall having a rear side and a forward side;
a rubrail member connected with said forward side of said sidewall, said rubrail member having an internal surface and an external surface, said external surface forming a rubrail bumper;
and
means for connecting said rear side of said sidewall to a watercraft at substantially the gunwale thereof, wherein said rubrail member is connected to said sidewall at a lower portion of said sidewall;
a bow mooring line having a near end and an opposite distal end, wherein said internal surface forms an interior hollow for restably receiving the bow mooring line;
and
abutment means for engaging a distal end of the bow mooring line and preventing the distal end thereof from sliding into the interior hollow.

5 more elements

A watercraft and rubrail mooring line receptacle apparatus, comprising:

a watercraft having a gunwale, a starboard side, a port side, a bow, and an ingress/egress location;
and
a starboard rubrail mooring line receptacle connected to said starboard side, and a port side rubrail mooring line receptacle connected to said port side, each of said port and starboard side mooring line receptacles comprising:
a sidewall having a rear side and a forward side;
a rubrail member connected with said forward side of said sidewall, said rubrail member having an internal surface and an external surface, said external surface forming a rubrail bumper;
means for connecting said rear side of said sidewall to the watercraft at substantially the gunwale thereof, wherein said rubrail member is connected to said sidewall at a lower portion of said sidewall;
a mooring line connection member mounted to the bow;
a starboard bow mooring line having a near end and an opposite distal end, said near end thereof being connected to said connection member, wherein said internal surface of said starboard rubrail mooring line receptacle forms a starboard interior hollow for restably receiving the starboard bow mooring line;
a port bow mooring line having a near end and an opposite distal end, said near end thereof being connected to said connection member, wherein said internal surface of said port rubrail mooring line receptacle forms a port interior hollow for restably receiving the port bow mooring line;
and
abutment means for engaging the distal end of the starboard and port bow mooring lines so as to prevent the distal end thereof from sliding into the respective starboard and port interior hollows.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Rubrail mooring line receptacle apparatus

Life of this patent

Rubrail mooring line receptacle apparatus

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims13