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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . 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 permanent magnet; and   a retrieval member having means adapted to engage with the buoyant member in the form of a second permanent magnet connected to an 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 permanent magnets.   
     
     
         2 . A mooring retrieval device as defined in  claim 1  wherein retrieval member is provided with a resilient neck for connecting the second permanent magnet to the end of the retrieval member wherein, in use, the resilient neck permits the second permanent magnet to more readily engage with the first permanent magnet of the buoyant member. 
     
     
         3 . A mooring retrieval device as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the second permanent magnet is provided with a retractable neck for connecting the second permanent magnet to the end of the retrieval member wherein, in use, the resilient neck permits the second permanent magnet to more readily engage with the first permanent magnet of the buoyant member. 
     
     
         4 . A mooring retrieval device as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the retrieval member comprises an elongate member having the means adapted to engage with the buoyant member provided at its said end. 
     
     
         5 . A mooring retrieval device as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the retrieval member comprises an end piece adapted to be attached to an end of an elongate member. 
     
     
         6 . A mooring retrieval device as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the retrieval member comprises a handle piece adapted to be attached to an end of an elongate member. 
     
     
         7 . A mooring retrieval device as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the buoyant member is provided with a ballast means adapted to keep the buoyant member in an upright condition in use. 
     
     
         8 . A mooring retrieval device as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the first permanent magnet is 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. 
     
     
         9 . A mooring retrieval device as defined in  claim 1 , 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. 
     
     
         10 . A mooring retrieval device as defined in  claim 9 , wherein the upper hemispherical body is formed with a depression in its upper surface, and the first permanent magnet is mounted within the depression. 
     
     
         11 . A mooring retrieval device as defined in  claim 10 , wherein the depression aids in locating second permanent magnet provided in connection with the end of the retrieval member so that it engages with the first permanent magnet in the depression of the buoyant member. 
     
     
         12 . A mooring retrieval device as defined in  claim 9 , 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. 
     
     
         13 . A mooring retrieval device as defined in  claim 1 , 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. 
     
     
         14 . A mooring retrieval device as defined in  claim 13 , 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. 
     
     
         15 . 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, the buoyant member having a first permanent magnet and the end piece having a second permanent magnet provided in connection therewith and adapted to engage with the first permanent magnet 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. 
     
     
         16 . An end piece as defined in  claim 15 , wherein the end piece is formed with a resilient neck for connecting the second permanent magnet to the retrieval member wherein, in use, the resilient neck permits the second permanent magnet to more readily engage with the first permanent magnet of the buoyant member. 
     
     
         17 . An end piece as defined in  claim 16 , wherein the resilient neck with the second permanent magnet is movable from a retracted position to an extended position. 
     
     
         18 . An end piece as defined in  claim 17 , wherein a steel ring is provided adjacent an outer extremity of the end piece for holding the second permanent magnet in its retracted position by magnetic attraction. 
     
     
         19 . An end piece as defined in  claim 15 , in the form of a handle piece. 
     
     
         20 . An end piece as defined in  claim 15 , 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.