Mooring retrieval device

Abstract

A mooring retrieval device for retrieving a mooring rope in water, the device comprising a buoyant member adapted to be tethered to the end of the mooring rope. An elongate retrieval member having an end adapted to engage with the buoyant member whereby, in use, the end of a mooring rope tethered to the buoyant member can be more easily retrieved. Advantageously the end of the retrieval member engages with the buoyant member by magnetic attraction.

1 - 29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . A mooring retrieval device for retrieving a mooring rope in water, the device comprising:
 a buoyant member adapted to be tethered to the end of a mooring rope and comprising a first magnetic means; and   a retrieval member having means adapted to engage with the buoyant member in the form of a second magnetic means connected to the end of the retrieval member wherein, in use, the end of the retrieval member engages with the buoyant member by magnetic attraction between the first and second magnetic means.   
     
     
         31 . A mooring retrieval device as defined in  claim 30 , wherein the second magnetic means is provided with a resilient neck for connecting the second magnetic means to the end of the retrieval member wherein, in use, the resilient neck permits the second magnetic means to more readily engage with the first magnetic means of the buoyant member. 
     
     
         32 . A mooring retrieval device as defined in  claim 30 , wherein the second magnetic means is provided with a retractable neck for connecting the second magnetic means to the end of the retrieval member wherein, in use, the resilient neck permits the second magnetic means to more readily engage with the first magnetic means of the buoyant member. 
     
     
         33 . A mooring retrieval device as defined in  claim 30 , wherein the retrieval member comprises an elongate member having the means adapted to engage with the buoyant member provided at one end. 
     
     
         34 . A mooring retrieval device as defined in  claim 30 , wherein the retrieval member comprises an end piece adapted to be attached to an end of an elongate member. 
     
     
         35 . A mooring retrieval device as defined in  claim 30 , wherein the retrieval member comprises a handle piece adapted to be attached to an end of an elongate member. 
     
     
         36 . A mooring retrieval device as defined in  claim 30 , wherein the buoyant member is provided with a ballast means adapted to keep the buoyant member in an upright condition in use. 
     
     
         37 . A mooring retrieval device as defined in  claim 30 , wherein the first magnetic means comprises a permanent magnet provided in an upper portion of the buoyant member that sits above the surface of the water when it is in an upright condition, in use. 
     
     
         38 . A mooring retrieval device as defined in  claim 30 , wherein the buoyant member is of a generally spherical shape, and is formed by joining together an upper hemispherical body and a lower hemispherical body. 
     
     
         39 . A mooring retrieval device as defined in  claim 38 , wherein the upper hemispherical body is formed with a depression in its upper surface, and a permanent magnet is mounted within the base of the depression. 
     
     
         40 . A mooring retrieval device as defined in  claim 39 , wherein the depression aids in locating the magnetic means provided in connection with the end of the retrieval member so that it engages with the permanent magnet in the buoyant member. 
     
     
         41 . A mooring retrieval device as defined in  claim 38 , wherein the lower hemispherical body is formed with the ballast means in the lowermost region of the hemispherical body when the buoyant member is in an upright condition. 
     
     
         42 . A mooring retrieval device as defined in  claim 30 , wherein the second magnetic means also comprises a permanent magnet. 
     
     
         43 . A mooring retrieval device as defined in  claim 30 , wherein the buoyant member has an elongate flexible member provided in connection therewith whereby, in use, the buoyant member can be tethered to the end of a mooring rope by means of the elongate flexible member. 
     
     
         44 . A mooring retrieval device as defined in  claim 43 , wherein the elongate flexible member has a small weight provided in connection therewith whereby, in use, under the force of gravity acting on the ballast the buoyant member is drawn closer to the end of the mooring rope. 
     
     
         45 . An end piece for a mooring retrieval device for retrieving a mooring rope in water, the end piece being adapted to engage with a buoyant member tethered to the end of the mooring rope and having a second magnetic means provided in connection therewith and adapted to engage with a first magnetic means provided in the buoyant member wherein, in use, the end piece engages with the buoyant member by magnetic attraction and the end of the mooring rope tethered to the buoyant member can be more easily retrieved. 
     
     
         46 . An end piece as defined in  claim 45 , wherein the end piece is formed with a resilient neck for connecting the second magnetic means to the retrieval member wherein, in use, the resilient neck permits the second magnetic means to more readily engage with the magnetic means of the buoyant member. 
     
     
         47 . An end piece as defined in  claim 46 , wherein the resilient neck with the second magnetic means is movable from a retracted position to an extended position. 
     
     
         48 . An end piece as defined in  claim 47 , wherein a steel ring is provided adjacent an outer extremity of the end piece for holding the magnetic means in its retracted position by magnetic attraction. 
     
     
         49 . An end piece as defined in  claim 45 , in the form of a handle piece. 
     
     
         50 . An end piece as defined in  claim 45 , wherein the end piece is adapted to be received on the end of an elongate member, such as a pole or rod so as to form an elongate retrieval member.