Apparatus for anchoring for a flotation device

• US 5,613,457 A
• Filed: 08/08/1996
• Issued: 03/25/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bar&Cal Corp.
• Original Assignee: Bar&Cal Corp.
• Inventors: Frank, Barbara, Lissauer, Lana S., Barker, Calvin A. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Swinehart, Edwin L.
• Application Number:
  US08/695,086
• Time in Patent Office: 229 Days
• Field of Search: 114/218, 114/230, 114/343, 114/364, 248/206.3, 248/206.4, 248/309.1, 248/309.2, 248/309.3, D12/168, D12/317
• US Class Current: 114/218
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 2021/006 Suction cups, or the like, e.g. for mooring, or for towing or pushing
• 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

Abstract

An apparatus for anchoring a flotation device to a wall or other smooth stationary object. The present invention consists of a tether, a means for attaching the tether to the flotation device, an anchoring means, and a means for adjusting the length of the tether. The anchoring means comprises a handle, a face having a plurality of small suction cups, and a hole for passage of the tether in adjustable engagement.

Claims

1. An apparatus for anchoring a flotation device, comprising:

(a) a tether, the tether further comprising;

(i) a first cord having proximal and distal ends,

(ii) a second cord having proximal and distal ends,

(iii) keeping means engaging the cords,

(iv) attachment means attached to the distal ends of the cords; and

(b) an anchor, the anchor further comprising;

(i) a base, the base having a face,

(ii) a handle attached to the base, the handle having a hole sized to permit the passage of the tether,

(iii) a plurality of suction cups attached to the face of the base,

(iv) means for causing the anchor to be buoyant in water; and

(c) the tether passing through the hole in the base.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, where the means for making the anchor buoyant in water comprises forming the anchor from a material having a lower density than water.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, where the means for making the anchor buoyant in water comprises the handle having a cavity sized so that the anchor has a lower average density than water.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 above where the keeping means comprises:

(a) a molded knob enclosing the proximal ends of the first and second cords, and

(b) the hole sized to engage the cords in frictional but adjustable engagement.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 above where the keeping means comprises;

(a) a knot made with the proximal ends of the first and second cords, and

(b) the hole further sized to engage the cords in frictional but adjustable engagement.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 above where the keeping means comprises:

(a) a molded knob enclosing the proximal ends of the first and second cords, and

(b) a bead having a hole, the first and second cords passing through the hole in the bead in frictional but adjustable engagement therewith, the bead positioned between the handle and the proximal ends of the first and second cords.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 above where the keeping means comprises:

(a) a knot made with the proximal ends of the first and second cords, and

(b) a bead having a hole, the first and second cords passing through the hole in the bead in frictional but adjustable engagement therewith, the bead positioned between the handle and the proximal ends of the first and second cords.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 above where the attachment means comprise a hook attached to each of the distal ends of the first and second cords.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 above where the attachment means further comprise an adhesive tab connected to each of the hooks.

10. An apparatus for anchoring a flotation device, comprising:

(a) a tether, the tether further comprising;

(i) a first cord having proximal and distal ends,

(ii) a second cord having proximal and distal ends,

(iii) keeping means attached to the cords,

(iv) attachment means attached to the distal ends of the cords; and

(b) an anchor, the anchor further comprising;

(i) a base, the base having a face,

(ii) a plurality of legs attached to the base,

(iii) a handle attached to the legs, the handle opposing the base,

(iv) the base having a groove,

(v) a pin mounted across the groove, the pin and the groove thereby forming a hole sized to permit the passage of the tether,

(vi) a plurality of suction cups attached to the face of the base,

(vii) means for causing the anchor to be buoyant in water; and

(c) the tether passing through the hole in the base.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, where the means for making the anchor buoyant in water comprises forming the anchor from a material having a lower density than water.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, where the means for making the anchor buoyant in water comprises the handle having a cavity sized so that the anchor has a lower average density than water.

13. The apparatus of claim 10 above where the keeping means comprises:

(a) a molded knob enclosing the proximal ends of the first and second cords, and

(b) the hole sized to engage the cords in frictional but adjustable engagement.

14. The apparatus of claim 10 above where the keeping means comprises:

(a) a knot made with the proximal ends of the first and second cords, and

(b) the hole further sized to engage the cords in frictional but adjustable engagement.

15. The apparatus of claim 10 above where the keeping means comprises:

(a) a molded knob enclosing the proximal ends of the first and second cords, and

(b) a bead having a hole, the first and second cords passing through the hole in the bead in frictional but adjustable engagement therewith, the bead positioned between the handle and the proximal ends of the first and second cords.

16. The apparatus of claim 10 above where the keeping means comprises:

(a) a knot made with the proximal ends of the first and second cords, and

(b) a bead having a hole, the first and second cords passing through the hole in the bead in frictional but adjustable engagement therewith, the bead positioned between the handle and the proximal ends of the first and second cords.

17. The apparatus of claim 10 above where the attachment means comprise a hook attached to each of the distal ends of the first and second cords.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 above where the attachment means further comprise an adhesive tab connected to each of the hooks.