Rope engaging docking device

Abstract

A rope engaging docking device for attaching a dock line to an out of reach dock cleat. The docking device includes an elongated pole with a fork member attached to the elongated pole's distal end. The fork member includes a center hub that attaches to the elongated pole and two diverging spreader arms each with a rope engaging slot formed on its distal end. During use, a large loop is formed on one end of the dock line. The loop is then positioned in the open center located between the two spreader arms so that the side sections of the loop are forced into the two rope engaging slots and the apex of the loop hangs below the fork member. The elongated pole is then extended over the dock cleat so the apex of the loop droops downward and placed behind a dock cleat. The crew member then pulls the dock rope to tighten the loop around the dock cleat. The device is then pulled reward to disconnect it from the dock line.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A rope engaging docking device for connecting and disconnecting a dock line to a dock cleat, comprising:
 a. dock line with a loop formed on one end with two side segments and a lower apex;   b. an elongated pole with opposite proximal and distal ends and a longitudinal axis; and,   c. a fork member mounted on said distal end of said elongated pole, said fork member includes a center hub that attaches to said distal end of said elongated pole and two laterally extending spreader arms each with a rope engaging slot formed on its distal end, said spreader arms being equal length and configured to extend outward on opposite sides of said center hub, said rope engaging slots configured to received and temporarily hold said side segments on said dock line when said lower apex is disposed below said fork member and extended around a dock cleat.   
     
     
         2 . The docking device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said rope engaging slot is a V-shaped and aligned longitudinally on said spreader arm, said slot is configured to receive and grip a section of said dock line extended transversely over the distal end of said spreader arm. 
     
     
         3 . The docking device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said elongated pole is telescopically adjustable. 
     
     
         4 . A method for connecting a dock line on a boat to a dock cleat on a dock while standing on the boat, comprising the following steps:
 a. while positioned on a boat, selecting a rope engaging docking device that includes an elongated pole with opposite proximal and distal ends and a longitudinal axis, and a a fork member mounted on said distal end of said elongated pole, said fork member includes a center hub that attaches to said distal end of said elongated pole and two spreader arms each with a rope engaging slot formed on its distal end configured to receive and temporarily attached to a segment formed on said dock line, said spreader arms being configured to extend outward on opposite sides of said center hub;   b. extending a dock line transversely over said fork member and extending between and connected to said rope engaging slots, a portion of said dock line extends downward in between said spreader arms;   c. gripping said elongated pole near said proximal end and extending said fork member over a dock cleat so the section of dock line that extends downward between said spreader arms is positioned behind said cleat;   d. pulling said dock line to tighten said dock line around said cleat; and,   e. removing said rope engaging slots from said dock line.