US3914825A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Unidirectional detent for flexible elongated members
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1975-02-14
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Granted: 1975-10-28
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Expires: 1995-02-14
Abstract
Abstract In a system for retrieving a deployed boat anchor, a buoyant structure is slidably attached to the anchor line by means of a snap fastener while the anchor line is slack. The boat is then moved away from the buoyant structure to take up the slack in the anchor line. Frictional drag exerted by the water on the buoyant structure prevents the structure from following the anchor line. When the anchor line is taut, the floating buoyant structure serves to redirect downward the pulling force generated by the motion of the boat. As the boat is moved further from the buoyant structure, the anchor is raised. A one-way hook on a portion of the anchor line near the anchor prevents the anchor from sinking when the boat is no longer pulling on the anchor line.
Inventors
- 👤 Lester A Reynolds
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 11:11
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63B; B63B21/00; B63B21/22; F; F16; F16G; F16G11/00; F16G11/14; F16G11/143; B63B2021/222; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T24/00; Y10T24/38; Y10T24/39; Y10T24/3913
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
219 words
A unidirectional detent apparatus for flexible elongated members comprising an annular member, slidably mounted on the flexible elongated member so that the annular member encircles the elongated member, and a one-way hook formed from a hollow tubular member wherein the one-way hook further comprises a. a first portion of the tubular member through which the flexible elongated member passes, b. a means for attaching the flexible elongated member to the first portion of the tubular member so that a segment of the elongated member is constrained to remain within a hollow longitudinal region in the first portion of the tubular member, and c. a second portion of the tubular member bent at an obtuse angle with respect to the first portion, which second portion is formed with an aperture in its wall through which a segment of the elongated member exits the hollow longitudinal region in the first portion of the tubular member; whereby, the annular member is free to pass over the first and second portions of the tubular member when sliding along the flexible, elongated member in one direction, and is prevented from passing over the tubular member in a reverse direction by an acute angle hook formed by an intersection of the second portion of the tubular member and a segment of the flexible, elongated member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
219 words
A unidirectional detent apparatus for flexible elongated members comprising an annular member, slidably mounted on the flexible elongated member so that the annular member encircles the elongated member, and a one-way hook formed from a hollow tubular member wherein the one-way hook further comprises a. a first portion of the tubular member through which the flexible elongated member passes, b. a means for attaching the flexible elongated member to the first portion of the tubular member so that a segment of the elongated member is constrained to remain within a hollow longitudinal region in the first portion of the tubular member, and c. a second portion of the tubular member bent at an obtuse angle with respect to the first portion, which second portion is formed with an aperture in its wall through which a segment of the elongated member exits the hollow longitudinal region in the first portion of the tubular member; whereby, the annular member is free to pass over the first and second portions of the tubular member when sliding along the flexible, elongated member in one direction, and is prevented from passing over the tubular member in a reverse direction by an acute angle hook formed by an intersection of the second portion of the tubular member and a segment of the flexible, elongated member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
141 words
The unidirectional detent apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for attaching the flexible elongated member to the first portion of the tubular member comprises an annular constriction, removably attached to the first portion of the tubular member, which annular constriction narrows the hollow longitudinal region in the first portion of the tubular member through which the flexible, elongated member passes, and an enlargement in the flexible, elongated member of a dimension larger than a central opening in the annular constriction and larger than the aperture formed in the second portion of the tubular member, which enlargement is located inside the hollow longitudinal region in the first portion of the tubular member between the annular constriction and the aperture formed in the second portion of the tubular member, so that the enlargement is constrained to remain within the hollow longitudinal region.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The unidirectional detent apparatus of claim 2 wherein the enlargement in the flexible, elongated member is a knot in the flexible, elongated member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The unidirectional detent apparatus of claim 2 wherein the annular constriction is formed with threads and the first portion of the tubular member is formed with corresponding threads so that the annular constriction may be screwed onto the tubular member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The unidirectional detent apparatus of claim 2 wherein the annular constriction is formed with a tapered nose which can be partially cut away so that the constriction will accomodate elongated members of different thicknesses.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-10-27 | 1979-04-28 | 1979-10-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-27 | 1983-04-28 | 1983-10-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-27 | 1987-04-28 | 1987-10-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |