Hull-mounted line retrieval and release system

A line retrieve-release system mounted on a hull of a boat, comprising:

• first jaw means coupled to the hull of the boat and facing substantially forward relative to the bow of the boat, said first jaw means being capable of movement between a partially open position and a fully open position;
• a first latch coupled to said first jaw means and biased to cooperate therewith in said partially open position thereof to thereby define a first enclosed region bounded by said first jaw means and said first latch, said first latch coupled to said first jaw means to permit one-way entry to said first enclosed region when a force is applied to said first latch from outside of said first enclosed region;
• second jaw means coupled to the hull of the boat and facing substantially aft relative to the bow of the boat, said second jaw means being capable of movement between a partially open position and a fully open position;
• a second latch coupled to said second jaw means and biased to cooperate therewith in said partially open position thereof to thereby define a second enclosed region bounded by said second jaw means and said second latch, said second latch coupled to said second jaw means to permit one-way entry to said second enclosed region when a force is applied to said second latch from outside of said second enclosed region;
• and
• means coupled to said first jaw means and said second jaw means for (i) locking each of said first jaw means and said second jaw means in their respective said partially open position, (ii) cooperatively moving each of said first jaw means and said second jaw means to their respective fully open position to thereby open said first enclosed region and said second enclosed region, and (iii) returning each of said first jaw means and said second jaw means to their respective said partially open position from their respective said fully open position, wherein said first jaw means is in toothed engagement with said second jaw means such that said movement to each respective said fully open position occurs in correspondence.

A line retrieve-release system mounted on a hull of a boat, comprising:

• a housing coupled to the hull of the boat;
• a first arm pivotally coupled to said housing and capable of clockwise rotational movement between (i) a first position in which said first arm points substantially forward relative to the bow of the boat, and (ii) a second position in which said first arm is angularly displaced from said first position thereof;
• a first latch coupled to said housing and biased to cooperate with said first arm in said first position thereof to thereby define a first enclosed region bounded by at least said first arm and said first latch, said first latch coupled to said housing to permit one-way entry to said first enclosed region when a force is applied to said first latch from outside of said first enclosed region;
• a second arm pivotally coupled to said housing and capable of counter-clockwise rotational movement between (i) a first position in which said second arm points substantially aft relative to the bow of the boat, and (ii) a second position in which said second arm is angularly displaced from said first position thereof;
• a separate latch coupled to said housing and biased to cooperate with said second arm in said first position thereof to thereby define a second enclosed region bounded by at least said second arm and said second latch, said second latch coupled to said housing to permit one-way entry to said second enclosed region when a force is applied to said second latch from outside of said second enclosed region;
• said first arm being coupled to said second arm such that said clockwise rotational movement and said counter-clockwise rotational movement occur in correspondence;
• and
• means coupled to one of said first arm and said second arm for generating said clockwise rotational movement and said counter-clockwise rotational movement to thereby open said first enclosed region and said second enclosed region.