Marine grappling hook

Abstract

The present invention is a grappling hook for use in mooring boats. It has an elongated shank defining an axis and having first and second ends thereon. The shank has a mooring line fastened to the first end and a hook-shaped grasping end at the second end extending outward from the axis. The hook has a balance point on the shank where the weight of the first end equals the weight of the second end. To moor the boat, the hook is thrown therefrom over an obstruction by the mooring line and drawn toward the boat, and when the balance point on the shank reaches the obstruction, the force of gravity lifts the hook end from the obstruction and rotates it downward about the shank to engage the obstruction, making fast the boat.

What I claim as my invention is:  
     
         9 . A grappling hook having: 
 an elongated shank defining an axis and having first and second ends thereon;    rope receiving means at the first end thereof;    a grasping end having: 
 a second first end thereof affixed to the second end of the shank; and  
 a second free end spaced from the shank;  
   the shank and the second free end defining a hook throat between them; and    a flexible line attached to the rope receiving means, CONSISTING ESSENTIALLY OF: 
 the hook having thereon a balance point between the first end of the shank and the second free end of the grasping end, wherein 
 the weight of the shank between the first end thereof and the balance point is equal to  
 the weight of the grasping end between the balance point and the second free end;  
 whereby, 
 after the hook has been thrown onto a surface to which an obstruction is affixed,  
 and the shank of the hook is drawn toward and up onto the obstruction, gravity:  
  lifts the grasping end from the surface when the balance point of the hook has passed the obstruction; and  
  rotates the grasping end downward about the axis, so that the grasping end engages the obstruction.  
 
 
   
     
     
         10 . The grappling hook of  claim 9 , wherein said hook is manufactured of metal.  
     
     
         11 . The grappling hook of  claim 9 , wherein said hook is manufactured of a molded plastic.  
     
     
         12 . The grappling hook of  claim 9 , wherein said hook is manufactured of a thermoplastic shrunk over the flexible line preformed into the desired shape.