Boat Tethering Device with Elastic Biasing for Controlled Launch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tethering systems for boats lack the ability to control the launch rate and provide adequate shock absorption, leading to potential damage and discomfort during launching and mooring, with existing materials often failing due to excessive force or sudden stops.
Innovation Solution
A boat tethering and launching system that includes two lengths of tethering material with different moduli of elasticity and a biasing member, allowing for controlled extension and retraction, and featuring a shock-absorbing mechanism to prevent sudden acceleration or deceleration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional tethering material is used to secure the boat to the ramp, then the boat can be tethered to the shore, but the boat may accelerate too quickly down the ramp causing the tethering material to fail or break
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a biasing member (spring) into the tethering system that is pre-loaded to provide a cushioning effect. This spring element absorbs the shock and controls the rate at which the boat accelerates down the ramp, preventing sudden jerks that would cause the tethering material to fail. The biasing member is positioned to engage during launching and provide gradual resistance throughout the boat's movement.
2Strength
If the tethering material is made stronger to withstand higher forces, then the material can handle faster boat acceleration, but the sudden stop still causes wear and potential damage to equipment and discomfort to passengers
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing member (spring) is pre-loaded to provide cushioning during both the launch and recovery phases. When the boat is launched, the spring gradually releases stored energy, controlling acceleration. When the boat is recovered, the spring gradually absorbs energy, controlling deceleration. This eliminates sudden stops and reduces wear on equipment and discomfort to passengers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful sudden stop force into a beneficial controlled deceleration process. The biasing member captures the kinetic energy of the moving boat and gradually dissipates it through controlled compression, transforming the harmful impact into a useful energy absorption mechanism that protects equipment and passengers.
3Reliability
If conventional rope, cable, or chain is used for mooring, then the boat can be secured to the shore, but the repeated alternation between taut and slack conditions creates a jarring effect especially in rocky waters
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing member (spring) is incorporated into the mooring system to provide continuous cushioning between the boat and the shore. This spring element absorbs the shocks and jerks that occur when the boat moves with waves, maintaining a more constant tension in the mooring line and eliminating the jarring effect of repeated taut-slack transitions.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the tethering material has no give or elasticity, then the boat is securely held in position, but the boat experiences sudden acceleration and deceleration causing damage and discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing member (spring) is pre-loaded to provide cushioning while maintaining position stability. The spring's gradual compression and extension characteristics allow it to hold the boat securely in position while simultaneously absorbing sudden movements and preventing dangerous accelerations and decelerations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively controls the launch rate of the boat, prevents material failure, and provides shock absorption during mooring, ensuring safer and more reliable operations by distributing forces and reducing wear on equipment and passengers.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member having a length that is shorter than that of the second section of the second longitudinally extending length of tethering material, the biasing member having a third modulus of elasticity
Implementation Method 2
dampen or soften the stopping of the boat as the tethering material is drawn toward a taut condition from a slacker condition
Data Source
AI summary
A boat tethering and launching system and device including a first longitudinally extending length of tethering material having a first modulus of elasticity, the first length of tethering material having a first end and a second end; a second longitudinally extending length of tethering material having a second modulus of elasticity, the second length of tethering material having a first section, a second section, and a third section, the second end of the first length of tethering material being coupled to the first section of the second length of tethering material; a biasing member having a length that is shorter than that of the second section of the second longitudinally extending length of tethering material, the biasing member having a third modulus of elasticity; and wherein each of the first, second, and third moduli of elasticity have different values.