US2627834A - Cam cleat - Google Patents

Description

W. C. ROBERTS ET AL Feb. 10, 1953 CAM CLEAT 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 5. 1948 AvmsNroAPS MAL/AM G-POEE/Prs OWEN E. DUFFY GENE V Feb. 10, 1953 w. c. ROBERTS ET AL CAM CLEAZI 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 5, 1948 OWE/y E. DUFFY Feb. 10, 1953 w. c. ROBERTS ET AL CAM CLEAT 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 5, 1948 Owe/v E VIII/IA Patented Feb. 10, 1953 CAM CLEAT William C. Roberts and Owen E. Duffy, Chattanooga, Tenn., assignors of one-fourth to 0. Hugh Dufiy, Washington, D. 0.

Application October 5, 1948, Serial No. 52,814

1 Claims.

Thisinvention relates to cam cleats principally for use on small sail boats for jamming andholding the main sheet rope thereof in such manner and position that the rope may be instantly released from the cleat whenever it becomes necessary or advisable to do so.

It is not necessary here. to go into great detail as to the reasons why the main sheet rope of a small sail boat should be so held or belayed that it can be allowed to run freely at all times. Experienced skippers of small boats are fully familiar with that. Sufiice it to say that the use of ordinary boat cleats arranged on the deck or otherwise of a small sail boat are not satisfactory because under certain conditions of sailing when the boat is subjected to a knock down, it is practically impossible to release the main sheet fromthe cleat to which it is belayed in time to spill the wind from the mainsail and avoid a capsize.

Likewise the use of the usual cam or other types of jam cleats on the deck or otherwise of a small sail boat are not satisfactory, because of the fact that the main sheet rope from the boom does not lead properly to the usual cam or jam cleat so as to render the cleat eiiective in jamming the sheet rope or to permit instant release of the sheet rope from the cleat when it is necessary to do so.

It is an object of this invention to obviate the diificulties attendent upon belaying the main sheet rope of a small boat and to provide a device so constructed, arranged and located that the main sheet rope of such a boat may be safely and eifectively belayed in such manner that it can be instantly released and permitted to run free when necessity requires the mainsail to spill its wind to avert a capsize or for any other reason.

With this principal object in view, the invention consists of the novel construction, arrangement and combination of parts of the device, all of which will first be fully described and afterwards specifically pointed out in the appended claim..

Referringto the accompanying drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments of our invention:

' Fig. 1 is a deck plan view of a small sail boat having its boom to port in full lines in the. position it would be when on a broad reach, and to starboard in dotted lines on the same point of sailing and illustrating the position of the cam cleat, which is the subject matter of this invention, on the boom of the boat to which the main sheet rope i belayed, the loose haulingend of which is shown in the hand of the helmsman or skipper. In this view as well as 2 in other views of the drawings, the sails of the boat have been omitted, since they would not assist in the illustration of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view on the camcleat.

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the same showing it in full lines in its central position and swung into its two extreme positions in dotted lines, such as the cam cleat would substantially assume when the boom was in the two positions shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view along line 4-4 of Figure 2 through the cam cleat attached to the boom, which is fragmentarily shown also in vertical section.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary transverse horizontal sectional view through one form of conventional cleat cams taken on line 55 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a front elevation of a modified form of cam cleat for jamming the main sheet rope on the boom of a small sail boat. the boom to which the boom to which the cleat is fastened I being shown in vertical section.

Fig. 7 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view taken through the cleat on line l-'! of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view unassembled of the base, frame and hinge pintle of the modified structure shown in Figs. 6 and '7.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary deck plan of a small sail boat such as is shown in Fig. l, and illustrating the cam cleat of Figs. 1 to 5 located over the keel of the boat and in longitudinal alignment therewith and in combination with a bent tubular pivoted fixture for properly leading the main sheet rope to the pivoted jam cleat from the boom.

Fig. 10 is a vertical transverse sectionalview through a small sail boat illustrating the boom to starboard and the main sheet rope leading therefrom to and into the tubular pivoted sheet leading fixture and belayed in the pivoted cam cleat and leading thence loosely to the left hand of the skipper or helmsman. In this View the tiller is shown in section and in the right hand of the helmsman.

Fig. 11 is a view like Fig. 10 except the boom is to port and the main sheet rope leading therefrom in a downwardly direction opposite to that of Fig. 10. This view illustrates the tubular pivoted sheet leading fixture as being swung to port while the pivoted jam cleat has swung to starboard.

Fig. 12'is a view partly in horizontalsection and partly in plan illustrating a fragment of the main sheet rope leadingto and through the independently pivoted tubular fixture and thence to and through the pivoted cam cleat.

Fig- 13 is a frontelevation ofuthe .cam cleat 3 and the tubular pivoted fixture showing a fragment of the main sheet rope belayed therein as in Fig. 10, and

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary view partly in vertical section and partly in elevation showing the independently pivotedtubular fixti'ire leading a fragment of the main sheet line to the pivoted tubular portion of the cam cleat.

Like numerals of reference indicate the same parts throughout the several figures, in which'z' I indicates a small sail boathavinga deck 2,; cockpit 3, mast 4, boom 5, main sheet traveller 6 (Fig. 1), keel I and floor boards 8 under the cockpit 3 and over the keel 1 and bottom 9 of the boat.

indicates the main sheet rope, which in the example of rig shown in the drawing has its standing end attached toithe boom ,5 at ll (Fig. 1") and leads'to' apulley liloc'li' [2' which is'shiftahle on" the traveller 6 from full the position to dotted line position inFig; 1. v

The inaifi sheet rope I 0 lea s from the traveller block" I 2' back to a pulley block IS'm'oiinted'on the total and leads thence to the pivoted cam ole'at' mounted under the" boom 5 and indicated by' the" numeral [4.

From the cam cleat M the main sheet rope leads downwardly into the cockpit 3 and into convenient position to be grasped by the free hand of the newsman, other hand grasping the tiller as shown in" Fig. 1.

Referring to the construc "on of the example of the pivoted ca m cleat' for jamming the main sheet rope which is in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive of the drawings, it will be seen thata cylindrical bearing plate 6 is' provided and equipped with openings ['7 to receive suitable fastening's for securing the plate It in proper operative position on the uhdef' surface of the boom as indicated in Fig. i. V

Pivotedinthe bearing plate is the straight tubularportion [8 of the device upon which is formed two annular shoulders IQ for retaining the straight tubular portion 2 8 inthe cylindrical bearing plate 16 and against longitudinal movenfient therein, but which permits free rotary or pivotalmove'zrient of thetubular portion [Etherein so that the cam olea't' 14 my swing freely from" one dotted position to the other as'shown in-Fig'. 3 or through an arc of substantially 180 degrees". n 4 p The straight tubular portion I8 of the device merges into a downwardly bent tubular portion 20 which terminates in a flat portion 2i lying transversely of the bent tubjular portion 20 and at siihstantially 90 degrees to the straight tubular points I8 and the bearing plate It of the device of so that the main sheet rope leadssubstantially straight froin'the boom to the handof the helmeman.

Mounted on the fiat transverse portion 2 If are the two cam members 22 and 23, the outer opposing" afii surfaces 24 of which are each serrated;

so as to'ihc ease the holding power of the came when the main sheet rope is jammed therebetween will be apparent from an inspection of ne' ccompan mg: di' awiiigs.

we lay no" claim to the specific construction of these cam members 22 and 23, although the particular type of camssiiewn in the drawing are preferred. They are only shown there in detail in order to'make more'clearthe operation ofthe rope'jamtni'ngact on or-the device.

As best shown in Fig; 5 the-two cam members are each pivoted on a bushing 25 secured to" the 4 transverse cam mounting plate 2| by a machine screw 26. Within the shell of each cam 22 and 23 and surrounding the bushing 25 is a coil spring 21 having one end 28 thereof secured in the transverse plate 2| and its free end 29 bearing on 8. lug 30 formed on the interior of the cam. As the coil spring 27 in each cam is wound in opposite directions, the two cam members 22 and 23 are biased in opposite directions, or toward each other in such manner that the serrated cam surfaces 24 always assume or tend to assume their normaiposit ons as shown in Fig. 3. A stop 31 for each cafn member formed on the transverse mounting plate 2| and engaged by the shell of each earn,- as shown in Fig. 3 holds the two cams in their proper relative positions to receive the main sheet rope between the serrated cam surfaces of the cams. v v v As is' best shown in Fig. 5', the serratea a surfaces Hare slightly tapered outwardly which facilitates the entranoe of the main sheet rope into operative jamming position between the two cams" and also facilitates the in'stant disengage merit of the sheet rope from its jammed position as will presently be described.

Suitably formed on the transverse camrnount in'g' plate 21 is a u-shapeu guiding yoke 32' which lies under the two cam members 2'2- and' 23 and projects substantially horizontally from its mounting plate 2| the manner as best shown in Fig. 4. v

In operation, the main sheet rope it passes thr'ougle' the loop formed by this guiding yoke 32 so thatthejmain sheet rope is properly positioned by said yoke at all times for ready entrance between the two cam members 22 and 23 and for instant disengagement therefrom. To accom-- plish the engagement of the main sheet line between the two serrated cam surfaces, the rope'is first drawn through thedevic'e in contact with the corners of the two'tapered serrated cam[ surfaces" which moves the cam surfaces apart and permits the rope to enter between the cam; surfacesj and assume? the position showers full lines in Upon releasing the ren me two serrated earn surfaces are actuated by their internal springs in opposed directions and toward eaohothepto jam the rope between the two cams and hold it fast. To instantly release the rope and permit it torun free through the tub'ular portion of the cleat; the free end the rope is merely pulled forwardly through the guiding yokj'BZihto position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4; Thisear'ries' the rope-clear of the cam surfaces and permits it to run ireely throughthe" device; 4 I v In the modification shown in Figs; 6 to 8' inclusiveof the drawings, the principal difi'er'ence is that the device'embodie's' a pulley over which the main sheet rope leads to the we eammem bers 2'2 and 23; instead or from the bent tubular portion 20 of Figs. 1 to 5.

In this modification the mounting plate I6" is provided with-openings I1 to receive fastenin'gs ll" for securing the device to the under surface" of the boom 5. p 19 indicates the shell of the pulley block 26' which shell terminates in a transverse mounting plate 2'!" upon which the two cam members 22 and 23 are mounted in'the manner as hereinbefore described. There isalso provided on the mounting plate 2| the guidi'ii'g yoke 32,. the purpose and function ofwh'ich is precisely the same as hereinfore described.

The top of the uney Shell 19 and thebottofn of the mounting plate (6" are-rented like two hinge members to receive a hinge piritle" 1'9" so that the cam cleat proper can swing on its mounting base l6 into its extreme positions indicated in the dotted lines in Fig. 6, or through an arc of substantially 180 degrees.

The operation of jamming the main sheet rope between the two cams and of releasing therefrom is the same as hereinbefore described and therefore no further description is required.

While this device was developed primarily for use on the boom of a small sail boat to belay the main sheet rope, it is capable of use in other applications, for instance for belaying the main sheet rope at the keel of a small boat, as shown in Figs. 9 to 13 inclusive.

In this application the device is used in combination with an independently pivoted fixture for leading the main sheet rope from the boom to the cam cleat, as best shown in Figs. 9 to 11. The device is thus used without change in structure from that shown in Figs. 2 to 5 and hereinbefore described.

The pivoted cam cleat [4 has its bearing plate l6 securely fastened on or directly over the keel of the boat 1 in combination with the independently pivoted tubular fixture 40 as best shown in Fig. 9. This fixture 40 includes a cylindrical bearing mounting plate 4|, which may be an exact duplicate of the bearing plate It of the cam cleat l4. Pivoted in the bearing plate 4| is the tubular member 42 which includes a straight portion 43 (Fig. 14) and an upwardly bent portion 44 into which the main sheet rope l leads directly from the pulley block IS on the boom as shown in Figs. 9 to 11.

The straight portion 43 of the tubular member 42 is provided with two annular flanges 45, (Figs. 12 and 14) to retain the tubular member against longitudinal movement in its cylindrical bearing plate 4| but to permit free rotary or pivotal movement thereof therein. This pivoted tubular fixture is fastened to or arranged over the keel 7 slightly forward of the pivoted cam cleat l4 so that the tubular member 42 leads the main sheet rope I0 straight into the tubular portion I8 of the pivoted cam cleat I4 as shown in the drawings.

It is customary in the sailing of small boats for the helmsman to sit on the port side when the boom is to starboard, as shown in Fig. 10, and to sit on the starboard side when the boom is to port, as shown in Fig. 11. Therefore the pivoted tubular fixture 40 or rather the upwardly bent tubular portion 44 thereof must swing from its position shown in Fig. 10 to its position shown in Fig. 11 in order to be capable of leading the main sheet rope I0 straight from the boom 5. At the same time the pivoted cam cleat must swing from its position shown in Fig. 10 to its position shown in Fig. 11 so that the main sheet rope will lead properly to the hand of the helsman as is also shown in Figs. 10 and 11.

The operations of engaging and releasing the main sheet rope between and from the cams 22 and 23 of the device when it is mounted on or over the keel of a boat, as in Figs. 9 to 11, is precisely the same as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 to 5 of the drawings, since the difference in application of the device is not accompanied by any change in structure.

Having thus described what we consider to be preferred embodiments of our invention, We do not Wish to be understood as limiting ourselves to the exact construction herein described and shown in the accompanying drawings, as various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of our invention, and We consider ourselves clearly entitled to all such changes and modifications as fall within the limit and scope of the appended claim.

What we claim is:

The herein described device for receiving and belaying the main sheet rope of a sail boat adjacent the keel thereof which includes; a mounting plate for mounting over the keel of a sail boat, said mounting plate having a pivot bearing thereon, a unitary sheet rope guide member comprising a cam cleat for receiving and holding said rope, said member having a pivot bearing cooperating with the pivot bearing on the mounting plate for pivotally mounting said sheet rope guide member on said mounting plate, said sheet rope guide member including a pulley for conducting said rope through the guide member and to said cam cleat, a cam mounting plate carried on said guide member transverse of the line of movement of the sheet rope over said pulley, said cam cleat comprising a pair of rope jamming cams mounted on said cam mounting plate, one of said cams being positioned at each side of the line of movement of a rope from said guide element over said mounting plate, a rope guide member in the form of a yoke on said cam mounting plate projecting from the side thereof for receiving and retaining said rope in substantial alignment with the juncture of said cams, said yoke being elongated in a direction substantially parallel with the axes of rotation of the cams, said sheet rope guide member having additional means cooperating with said unitary sheet rope guide member for leading the main sheet rope from the boom of a sail boat into a line of movement co-axially with the line of movement of entry of the sheet rope to said pulley carried by said unitary sheet rope guide member.

WILLIAM C. ROBERTS. OWEN E. DUFFY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS OTHER REFERENCES Wilcox, Crittenden and Co., Inc., 1941 Catalog issued Jan. 1941 Marine Hardware, Middletown, Conn. Page 54 relied on. (Copy in Division 22.)

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