US4217847A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-release cam cleat
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1978-06-26
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Granted: 1980-08-19
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Expires: 1998-06-26
Abstract
Abstract A rope holding device including an improved cam cleat useful on a sailboat for maintaining sail ropes taut. The improved cam cleat contains two cam-type jaws to grip the rope, one of which has a serrated or tooth-like surface for gripping, while the other has a smooth gripping surface which permits easy rotation of the smooth cam member to the release position. The smooth cam member has an arcuate face with a radius of curvature for the gripping surface substantially greater than the smooth face of the release surface adjacent it. Consequently, when the smooth release cam is pivoted so that the retained rope is slipped from the smooth gripping surface to the smooth release surface, the rope is automatically released without the need for the operator to exert a force on the rope to pull it away from the cam cleat as is usually done.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert A. McCloud
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 20:01
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63B; B63B21/00; B63B21/04; B63B21/08; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T24/00; Y10T24/39; Y10T24/3936; Y10T24/394; Y10T24/3944
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
198 words
A release cam cleat comprising: a base plate suitable for mounting; a pair of oppositely disposed cam members, pivotably mounted and spring biased on said plate; one of said cam members having a non-smooth surface for gripping a rope, the non-smooth surface having a radius of curvature greater than the pivot radius such that said cam surface is eccentric so that upon pivoting in the spring biased direction, the distance between the pair of cam members decreases; the opposite cam member having smooth gripping and release surfaces and a release lever, said smooth gripping surface having a radius approximately equal to the pivot radius and being substantially less eccentric than the non-smooth gripping surface and said release surface having a radius substantially less than the pivot radius so as to provide a substantially narrower arc than the smooth gripping surface and said release surface being adjacent said gripping surface in the direction opposite the free end of a gripped rope such that upon pivoting said smooth surface cam member via said release lever in the direction opposite the spring bias, the rope will release upon loss of contact with said gripping surface and contact with said release surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
198 words
A release cam cleat comprising: a base plate suitable for mounting; a pair of oppositely disposed cam members, pivotably mounted and spring biased on said plate; one of said cam members having a non-smooth surface for gripping a rope, the non-smooth surface having a radius of curvature greater than the pivot radius such that said cam surface is eccentric so that upon pivoting in the spring biased direction, the distance between the pair of cam members decreases; the opposite cam member having smooth gripping and release surfaces and a release lever, said smooth gripping surface having a radius approximately equal to the pivot radius and being substantially less eccentric than the non-smooth gripping surface and said release surface having a radius substantially less than the pivot radius so as to provide a substantially narrower arc than the smooth gripping surface and said release surface being adjacent said gripping surface in the direction opposite the free end of a gripped rope such that upon pivoting said smooth surface cam member via said release lever in the direction opposite the spring bias, the rope will release upon loss of contact with said gripping surface and contact with said release surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The release cam cleat of claim 1, wherein the release surface radius of the smooth surface cam is less than one-half the radius of the smooth gripping surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The release cam cleat of claim 1, wherein the radius of curvature of the gripping surface of each cam provide between 15° to 30° gripping contact arc when measured from the pivot points to said surfaces.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The release cam cleat of claim 1, wherein the release surface arc of the smooth surface cam is approximately one-half the gripping surface arc of the smooth surface cam when measured from the pivot points to said surfaces.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The release cam cleat of claim 4, wherein the release surface arc is approximately 30° and the gripping surface arc is approximately 60°.
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) | 1983-08-19 | 1984-02-18 | 1984-08-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-08-19 | 1988-02-18 | 1988-08-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-08-19 | 1992-02-18 | 1992-08-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |