Lifesaving and mooring device

• US 4,661,077 A
• Filed: 09/27/1985
• Issued: 04/28/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/1984
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: James F. Ward
• Original Assignee: James F. Ward
• Inventors: Ward, James F., Griffith, Bruce S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Peters, Jr., Joseph F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Swinehart, Ed
• Application Number:
  US06/780,726
• Time in Patent Office: 578 Days
• Field of Search: 114/230, 441/80, 441/84, 441/85
• US Class Current: 441/84
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 21/04 Fastening or guiding equipment for chains, ropes, hawsers, or the like means for fastening cables or ropes in general F16G11/00
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 9/26 Cast or life lines; Attachments thereto; Containers therefor; Rescue nets or the likeadaptations of aerial cableways to shipboard use B63B27/18; guns for line throwing F41F; line-carrying missiles F42B12/68
• CPC Class Codes: F16G 11/10 Quick-acting fastenings; Clamps holding in one direction only
• CPC Class Codes: F16G 11/14 Devices or coupling-pieces designed for easy formation of adjustable loops, e.g. choker hooks; Hooks or eyes with integral parts designed to facilitate quick attachment to cables or ropes at any point, e.g. by forming loops

Abstract

The invention discloses a lifesaving and mooring device (8) having a resilient, floatable member (10), defining a pair of channels (12) therethrough, adapted for slidable receipt of an elongated member, such as a rope (14) through the channels. The rope slidably passes through the channels in a U-like configuration so as to form an adjustable slip-loop (18). At least one end of the rope has a diameter greater than that of the channels so as to prevent removal of the rope therefrom.

Claims

1. A lifesaving and mooring device comprising:

a hollow, spherical, buoyant and resiliently deformable member of a suitable size, weight, and deformability to facilitate casting thereof without harming a person accidentally struck thereby, said hollow spherical member having a pair of channels herethrough;

a buoyant elongated member slidably received in said channels and defining an enlargeable loop on one side of said hollow spherical member; and

means at one end of said elongated member for preventing passage of said one end through said channels.

2. The lifesaving and mooring device as recited in claim 1 wherein said elongated member is a cable.

3. The lifesaving and mooring device as recited in claim 1 wherein said elongated member is a rope.

4. The lifesaving and mooring device as recited in claim 1 wherein said hollow spherical member is constructed of material from the group consisting of rubber, latex, vinyl, and urethane.

5. A lifesaving and mooring device comprising:

a spherical, buoyant and resiliently deformable member of a suitable size, weight, and deformability to facilitate casting thereof without harming a person accidentally struck thereby, said spherical buoyant member having a pair of tubular members disposed in channels passing through said spherical buoyant member;

a buoyant elongated member slidably received in said pair of tubular members and defining an enlargeable loop on one side of said spherical buoyant member; and

means at one end of said elongated member for preventing passage of said one end through said tubular members.

6. The lifesaving and mooring device as recited in claim 5 wherein said elongated member is a cable.

7. The lifesaving and mooring device as recited in claim 5 wherein said elongated member is a rope.

8. The lifesaving and mooring device as recited in claim 5 wherein said spherical buoyant member is constructed of a material from the group consisting of rubber, latex, vinyl, and urethane.