GB2467980A - A flexible boat hook extension means - Google Patents

Abstract

A flexible boat hook extension means 3 has a hook 4 provided at one end and means 2 for attachment to a boat hook pole 1 provided at the other end. The means for attachment to the boat hook pole may comprise a sleeve attachment 2, or a collar attachment (5, Fig 8). In use the extension means is used to pass a mooring line (11, Fig 6) around a fixed mooring point (8, Fig 6). The extension means may be of variable length and stiffness dependent on the weight of the mooring line and reach required. The hook 4 may vary in size according to the maximum diameter of the mooring line used.

Description

Bendiboathook Description

This invention relates to a means of passing a line or rope around or through a fixed object, such as a pole, beam, mooring buoy ring or mooring appurtenance.

Numerous cases occur every year where seafarers or persons on vessels whilst attempting to pass a mooring line ashore fall into the sea or water. Injury and even death can sometimes be the result This invariably happens when a lone body is attempting to pass a mooring line from a distance around a mooring appurtenance, through a mooring ring or around a fixed beam or pillar. The beam, pillar or appurtenance can be either on the shore or on another vessel.

Similarly considerable damage often occurs when a vessel in a seaway is manoeuvred close to another vessel or dock where sea conditions are not suited for marginal or close quarters operations.

The Bendy Boat Hook is designed to be an extension to the arm and will allow the operator to work from a distance to pass a line securing a vessel in the early stages of mooring. This reduces the risk to person of toppling or falling into the sea/water and allows the vessel to be manoeuvred at a slightly increased distance from where it wished to moor. Thus reducing the prospect of material damage to the vessel or where it is desired to moor.

The hook can be made from metal or reinforced plastic or polythene. The flexible multi-directional extension can be made from any extruded flexible metal wire that has the ability to be shaped by hand. It can be bent or formed into any shape only constrained by its length. Then hold its shape or form. Then when under tension allow itself to reform into the line of pull. Thus allowing it to be manoeuvred around or through solid objects then retrieved along the path it was deployed along. The extension can be finished in a waterproof plastic or rubber coat for protection.

The extension may also be constructed solely of plastic or rubber.

The use of the BendiBoatHook is not restricted to mooring operations it may be utilized in any situation onshore or offshore where it is required a line or rope be passed around, over or through a fixed object, for whatever purpose.

There are two variations of fitting the hook with flexible extension to the pole. A socket sleeve fixing as in Figure 7., the hook becomes an integral part of the pole.

Or a collar version as in FigureS, which may be removed and refitted as required to any pole.

The invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The drawings are notated as follows.

1). Boat hook pole.

2). Sleeve attachment over end of boat hook pole.

3). Flexible multi directional extension (length dependent on stiffness of material and operational requirement).

4). Hook 5). Collar version as attachment to conventional boat hook 6). Conventional boat hook fitting.

7). Jetty, wharf or mooring appurtenance 8). Pillar or support.

9). Sea/river/lake surface.

10). Vessel or boat 11). Mooring line, heaving line or rope.

12). Direction of push/pull.

13). Ring bolt or mooring eye.

14). Mooring buoy.

Figure 1 Deployment Shows a pole with the BendiBoatHook offered up for deployment.

Figure 2 Deployment.

Shows the hook after forming a bend in the flexible extension being swung into position.

The flexible arm (3) is bent to an angle in order it can be passed, pushed (12) behind or through the object or structure (8, 13) the rope (11) needs to be pulled behind or through.

Figure 3 Deployment.

Shows the hook in position and the rope or line being cast to cross the extension and hook.

Figure 4 Deployment Shows the rope or line being snagged on hook.

Figure 5 Deployment Shows the hook and snagged rope or line being with drawn around object or structure.

Figure 6 Deployment.

Shows hook with snagged line or rope being delivered onboard vessel.

Figure 7. Shows a hook and flexible extension that has a socket fitting to the pole.

Figure 8.

Shows a hook and flexible extension that has a collar thet can be fitted to any pole or conventional boat hook.

Figure 9 Shows an example of the hook deployed through a ringbolt on a structure.

Figure 10 Shows an example of the hook deployed through a floating object., such as a mooring buoy.

Claims (1)

1. Bendiboathook Claims 1). A flexible extension with a hook at its outer end the inner end attached to a pole so that the hook can be passed behind an object to allow a line (rope) to be cast and caught on the hook, the hook with line (rope) snagged is withdrawn from behind the object and pulled back to the location of the operator bearing the pole.

   2). A flexible extension with hook attached to a pole according to claim 1 will enable the operator to work at an increased distance from a mooring or fixed object.

   3). A flexible extension with hook attached to a pole according to claim 1 will allow greater distance between two or more floating objects in a seaway whilst carrying out initial mooring operations.