AU611037B2 - Cam cleat - Google Patents

Description

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AUSTRALIA

Patents Act Ab COMPLTE S. EC ICATIr?

(ORIGINAL)

Class Int, Class Application Number: Lodged: Complete Specification Lodged: Accepiccd: Publishpd: Priority ZJ. 0 68

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Related Art; Name(s) of Applicant(s): Address(es) of Applicant(s): APPLICANT'S REF: RONSTAN INTERNATIONAL PTY.

-RENS-T AR-iW0 +"-Afr .UTD- 220 Bay Road, Sandringham, C.A.P. of P1 8902 Victoria, 3191, AUS4 ~i a Actual Inventor(4): Robert Speedie Address for 5cr'.ice is, PHILLIPS, ORMONDE AND FITZPATRICK Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys 367 Collins Street Melbourne, Australia, 3000 Complete Specification ror the invention entitled-, "CAM CLEAT" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to applicant(s),, P1t9 3 84 Corporate seal RONSTAN INTERNATIONAL PTY LTD if any Note: No legalization A cr other witness required -f PHILLIPS ORMONDE AND FITZPATRICK Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys 367 Collins Street Melbourne, Australia P17/2/83 I The present invention relates to improvements in cam cleats.

Cam cleats of various designs have been known and used for a number of years. In particular, they are used to secure lines. In one application they are used to secure lines on sailing craft and preferably allow quick securing and release of said lines, In most designs, the cam cleats comprise a pair of facing pawls that are rotatably mounted about a pair of adjacent shafts, said shafts generally being integral with a base plate.

Generally, the pawls are spring biased so that they are o0o° biased toward a gripping position. Adjacent faces of the

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1 pawls include gripping teeth and said faces are shaped such i o«t that when rotated the distances between them increases to 0 '1 accomodate lines of varying diameter.

These cam cleats have suffered a number of 0 0 0 E o disadvantages. Generally it has been necessary to produce left handed and right handed components for each cleat S:'0 which requires expensive tooling for each component.

0 Excess stock must be held for manufacture and repair due to %nO the one sided nature of each component. Also movement of lines through the cleats causes wearing on the gripping teeth. In more recent prior art cleats ball or roller bearings having been provided to reduce friction of the swinging action of the cams. These balls or bearings can o become lost and/or dirt/sand can become built up around or o lodged between them substantially reducing the efficiency of the cleat.

According to the present invention there is provided a cam cleat including at least two gripping members mounted in spaced apart relation, the gripping members providing a line gripping passage therebetween through which a line can extend; at least one of the gripping members including a cam shaped gripping pawl mounted on a base member for pivotal movement, relative to the or at least one other gripping member, movement of the gripping pawl toward the other gripping member closing the line gripping passage until a line therein is gripped between the gripping members; the or each gripping pawl having a pair of gripping surfaces arranged 2 1 in a symmetrical relation so that one or other of the gripping surfaces engage the line during gripping, the surface allocated for gripping depending on the orientation of the gripping pawl relative to the other gripping member.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a cam cleat which has a number of substantially symmetrical components.

The attached drawings show: Figure 1 shows a top view of one embodiment of a cam cl6at according to the invention.

o°o Figure 2 shows a side view of the cam cleat of Figure 2 with a sectional view III-III of one side.

oFigure 3 shows a top view of one embodiment of a pawl according to the invention.

o 00 Sigure 4 shows a bottom view of the cam cleat of Figure 3 with the base cap removed and showing one pawl having been rotationally moved.

Figure 5 shows a head member and bearing member 0 including support means of the cam cleat of Figure 1.

o0 Figure 6 shows a section VI-VI of the bearing member including support means of Figure o 00 o.o. Figure 7 shows another embodiment of a cam cleat according to the invention.

The drawings showing preferred embodiments of the D 0 1 oo invention are attached to assist in understanding the o invention but the particularity of those drawings is not to be understood as superseding nor in any other way limiting the generality of the preceding description.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a cam cleat as shown in Figures 1 and Al including two gripping members 1 and 2 mounted in spaced apart relation, gripping members 1 and 2providing a line gripping passage 3 therebetween through which a line can extend. Each of gripping members 1 and 2 include a cam shaped gripping pawl 4 mounted on base member 5 for pivotal movement, relative to the other gripping member. Movement of one gripping pawl 4 toward the other gripping member closes line gripping passage 3 until a line therein is gripped between gripping members 3 i, 1 and 2. Gripping pawl 4 has a pair of gripping surfaces 6 and 7 azranged in symmetrical relation so that one or other of the surfaces engage said line during gripping, the surface allocated for gripping depending on the orientation of one gripping pawl 4 relative to the other gripping member.

Each pawl 4 is substantially symmetrical about a plane which is parallel to the axis of rotation of said pawl. Said symmetry plane extends through said axis of rotation. Each pawl 4 has a bottom face 8. Remote from bottom face 8 is top face 9. Figure 3 shows top face 8 0 and one line of substantial symmetry. Side faces extend between bottom face 8 and to face 9.

Gripping teeth 11 are provided on a portion of side faces 10. Teeth 11 are shaped such that one or more 0o of them will interact with an object placed in gripping 0 passage 3 in abutment with gripping teeth 11 to stop the object being drawn through the cam cleat in onc direction. Teeth 11 are generally substantially

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parallel. It will be appreciated that teeth 11 or o O sections of them may be inclined at different angles relative to each other to provide different gripping or release characteristics. As shown a major portion of the projections of teeth 11 in the vicinity of bottom face 8 are substantially parallel and are set substantially perpendicular relative to bottom face 8. In another form 0 0, some or all of the projections of teeth 11 in the vicinity of bottom face 8 may be angled between 00 and about 15from the perpindicular relative to the bottom face 8. It will be appreciated that a portion of teeth 11 in the vicinity of top face 9 may be flared outwardly and/or swept towards the exit side of the cleat or otherwise arranged to assist in receipt of the line.

This embodiment of the teeth is not depicted. Further, portions of one or more of teeth 11 may be inclined at different angles relative to other portions of teeth 11 to enhance gripping and/or release characteristics.

Teeth 11 have a profile such that it will not shred line. Outer sections of projections of teeth 11 are rounded. In one form the radius of rounded outer DW 4 sections of teeth 11 is about 0.75 mm. The angle bett ,en two inclined planes which intersect to form each t%.P,-th and an imaginary vertical intersecting line is preferably between 5 and 20 0. As shown, said angle is between and 120 Teeth 11 may extend the full length between bottom f ace 8 arid top f ace 9. As shown, top face 9 and side face 10 i~n the vicinity of top f ace 9 is curved or bevelled 12. Bevel 12 assists in allowing a line or other object to be inserted into the cam cleat easier and more efficiently than if the curve or bevel was absent.

0. Q Bottom face 8 of pawl 4 is substantially flat.

Bottom face 8 is substantially complimentary to base 0 000 member 5 proximate thereto. As shown, finger 13 extends from bottom face 8 of pawl 4 substantially perpendicular o o 0 0 'ao to bottom face 8. Finger 13 cooperates with a recess 14 O 0 0 in base member 5 to limit the degree of rotation of pawl 4 about shaft 16 (see Figure In another embodiment, limit on rotation may be achieved by a finger which may be provided on a base member and a recess provided within the bottom f ace of the pawl. In yet another embodiment, a rotation lim,.ting means may be provided in the region of the top face or within the passage. It will be appreciated that a limit on rotation may be provided by any suitabic means.

Pawl 4 has passage 15 extending therethrough.

Shaft 16 extends into passage Shaft 16 is hollow in construction but in another embodimenit it may be solid. Shaft 16 extends through substantially 4,-he whole length of passage 15 of pawl 4, However,, it will be appreciated that in another embodiment shaft 16 may extend completely through or only partway through passage 15. Shaft 16 is substantially circular in cross-section. As ohown, shaft 16 is integral with base member 5. However, it will be appreciated that in another embodiment the shaft may be att.ached to the base member or shaft/s may be provided independently for use where no base member is provided.

Base member 5 includes a substantially flat mounting surface 5a. The corners of the top of basis members are rounded or bevelled. Shaft 16 extends substantially perpendicular to a plane of said mounting surface.

Bearing members are provided within passage 15 of pawl 4. In one form, bearing members may be integral with or connectable about the shaft or a portion of the shaft. Bearing members may be in any suitable form including but not limited to roller bearings, ball-bearings, bearing surfaces or the like or a combination of these. As shown, a bearing sleeve 17 substantially of cylindrical form is provided. Bearing sleeve 17 is depicted in greater detail in Figures 5 and o 6. Bearing sleeve 17 has inter-'uptions 18 in its surface to allow wear debris and other .traneious material to be substantially removed from tht rubbing surfaces. As shown the interruptions are provided by a series of grooves. However, it will be appreciated that the interruptions may be of any suitable size or shape including slots or grooves and/or radial holes. As shown, grooves 18 are substantially parallel with the axis of passage 15/shaft 16. A base portion 19 of bearing member 17 extends partially beyond the length of passage Support means support pawl 4 so that base 8 of pawl 4 does not rub against base member 5. As shown, support means are provided by plate 19 of bearing member i, ba 17. It will be appreciated that such support means may be provided by various means including a platform integral with, attached to or mounted in the vicinity of base member 5 and shaft 17. Friction reducing projection is included on support means 19 to assist in supporting pawl 4 whilst reducing friction created by moving pawl 4 relative to base member 5. Support projection 20 comprises a substantially circumferential bead proximate base member 5. It will be appreciated that more than one friction reducing projection may be provided. It will be appreciated that friction reducing means of various known types could be used to, support pawl 4 whilst reducing friction between pawl 4 and base member 5. i Bottom face 8 of pawl 4 includes a recess 21 into 6 which support means 19 partially inserts.

Bearing member 17 and support means 19 are made of any suitable material. Said material preferably has good wear and distortion resistant characteristics.

Preferably said material has low corrosion character.

Suitable materials include polymeric materials and metals including plastic, ceramic, metal, teflon, aluminium and the like or a combination or plurality of these. In one embodiment, the bearing members and support means are made of a low friction material such as acetal, P.T.F.E.

acetal, DELRIN (registered trade mark) or any other low friction material.

Resilient member 22 is provided to cooperate with pawl 4 to urge movement of pawl 4 toward a gripping position. As shown, resilient member 22 comprises a coil compression spring. It will be appreciated that the resilient member may be provided by any known means including an elastic iember or a tension spring.

Resilient member 22 is substantially U shaped. Resilient member 22 demountably connects with finger 13 which extends from bottom face 8 of pawl 4. Recess 23 is provided in base member 5 to receive resilient rrember 22. Recess 23 is in the underside of base member 5. In another embodiment, a recess to receive the resilient member may be provided elsewhere in the cam cleat, for example in the bottom face of the pawl. In yet another embodiment a recess may be provided in the top face of the pawl to receive the resilient member.

Adjustment means is provided to adjust the degree of urging of resilient member 22. As shown a series of adjustment protruberences 24 are provided. Resilient member 26 detachably connects with protruberences 24. It will be appreciated that adjustment means may be provided by various means and may include a series of adjustment recesses. Adjustment protruberences 24 are arranged such that movement of at least one end of resilient member 22 from one to another of protruberences 24 will alter the compression or tension of resilient member 22.

Adjustment protruberences 24 are provided on underside of base member 5. As shown protruberances 24 are arranged 7

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Base member cap 25 is provided to cover recess 23 in the underside of base member 5. Base member cap also provides a seating surface. Base member cap 25 is made of any suitable material including polymeric materials, plastic, silicon or the like.

Head member 26 is provided to cooperate with top face 9 of pawl 4. Head member 26 in conjunction with fastening means may assist in maintaining pawl 4 in place in the cam cleat during normal operation. Head member 26 preferably cooperates with fixing means to affix the cam cleat to an object for use. Head member 26 demountably connects with shaft 16. The distance between base member and the underside of head member 26 proximate the pawl ~is at least slightly greater than the length of passage in the pawl so as to allow slight movement of pawl 4 up and down along shaft 16. In normal operation head member 26 does not continuously contact top face 9 of pawl 4 and thereby does not create substantial friction therewith for substantial lengths of time.

In one embodiment not depicted, a head member or top section of the pawl may include resilient member adjustment and/or loading means. In one embodiment, said head member includes a lug or finger. Said lug or finger may cooperate with a recess, or slot provided in shaft such that when assembled, said head member will not substantially rotate relative to said shaft. Said head member may include a series of adjustment protruberences or recesses which may cooperate with said resilient member. One or more recesses may be provided in the region of said top face of said pawl, one or more of which may cooperate with said resilient member. By rotation of said head member relative to said shaft followed by location of the lug or finger in said shaft recess the resilient member tension or compression may be adjusted. Recess 27 is provided in the top face 9 of the pawl into which at least a portion of head member 26 inserts. Recess has a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of head member 26.

In Figure 7 there is depicted another enrtbodiment 8 i; of a cam cleat according to the invention. As shown there is provided gripping members 71 and 72. Gripping member 71 is substantially the same as gripping members 1 or 2 as desscribed above with reference to Figures 1 to 6 inclusive. Gripping member 72 comprises fixed abutment member 73. Abutment member 73 is integral with base member 75. It will be appreciated that abutment member may in different embodiments be separate from or attachable to base member 75, Abutment member 73 includes top face 79 and side faces 80. One or more of side faces 80 include teeth 81. Top face 79 and side face 80 in the vicinity of top face 79 is bevelled. Base member cap 95 is provided.

It will be appreciated that the invention would be suitable without a base member being provided for example the gripping member/s could be fastened directly o o to a vessel or other object. In such an embodiment resilient member and/or one or more fingers could be provided in the vicinity of the base and/or top of each gripping member.

Base member, shaft and pawl may be made of any suitable shape, size or material. Preferably the base member, shaft and/or pawl are made of metal, polymeric material, ceramic or a combination of these. In one form, base member and pawl are made of aluminium.

o Various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be introduced into the constructions and arrangements of parts previously described without departing from the spirit and ambit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

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Claims (9)

1. 3. A cam cleat as claimed in claim 2 wherein said symmetry plane extends through said axis of rotation.
2. 4. A cam cleat as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wberein the or each gripping pawl has one or more side faces including gripping teeth on at least a portion of at least one side face. A cam cleat as claimed in claim 4 wherein sections of gripping teeth at least proximate a bottom face of the gripping pawl are angled between 0 0 and 15 0 from the perpendicular to the bottom face.
3. 6. A cam cleat as claimed in claim 4 or 5 wherein at least some portion of some of said gripping teeth are inclined at different angles relative to each other,
4. 7. A cam cleat as claimed in claim 4, 5 or 6 wherein two inclined planes intersect to form each tooth and the angle between each inclined~ plane and an imaginary intersection line is between 10 0 and 120,
5. 8. A cam cleat as cia.iimd to claim 7 inclusive wherein a rounded rudiu8 being about 0,75 mm connects said two inclined planes.
6. 9. A cam cleat as cl~aimed in any preceding claim wherein the or each q.-ippizng pawl. has a passage extending therethrough 10 4iw~iinuyr_ into which a shaft is located and at least one bearing member is provided therebetween. A cam cleat as claimed in claim 9 wherein at least one of said bearing member/s includes interruptions in its surface to assist movement of extranious material from rubbing surfaces.
7. 11. A cam cleat as claimed in claim 10 wherein said interruptions are in the form of grooves.
8. 12. A cam cleat as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a platform or plate is provided between the or each pawl and any base member. 13, A cam cleat as claimed in claim 12 wherein said platform or plate includes at least one friction reducing o projection,
9. 14. A cam cleat as claimed in any preceding claim wherein at least one resilient member is provided to urge movement of the or each pawl toward a gripping position and adjustment means are provided to adjust the degree of urging of said resilient member/s. A cam cleat substantially as hereinbefore particularly described with reference to the drawings. DATED: 21 June, 1989 PHILLIPS ORMONDE FITZPATRICK Attorneys for:- RONSTAN INTERNATIONAL PTY. LTD. /i merly known- ais RONSTAN MAR-IE-PT¥ T 2805S DW 11