Dock line management apparatus

Abstract

A dock line management device is provided. The dock line management device includes a tube which is rotatable about at least one axis and which is hollow for receiving a dock line.

1 . A dock line management device comprising:
 a base having a mount and a rotating member, the mount configured to be connected to and stationary with respect to a fixed structure, and the rotating member being rotatable with respect to the mount;   a tube, having a distal end and a hollow interior disposed to receive a dock line, pivotally connected to the rotating member, allowing rotation of the tube relative to the mount about a substantially vertical axis and substantially vertical movement of the distal end of the tube relative to the mount; and   a strut connected to the tube and connected to the base, for dampening the vertical movement of the tube.   
     
     
         2 . The dock line management device of  claim 1 , and further including a mounting cleat for connection of the tube to the base and for connection of the strut to the base. 
     
     
         3 . The dock line management device of  claim 2 , wherein the mounting cleat has a raised flap with an aperture therein for attachment to the strut. 
     
     
         4 . The dock line management device of  claim 1 , wherein the tube has an outer tube and an inner tube which are fixedly attached to each other. 
     
     
         5 . The dock line management device of  claim 1 , wherein the tube has an outer tube and an inner tube which are telescopically connected to each other. 
     
     
         6 . The dock line management device of  claim 1 , wherein the base further includes a rotating dowel for connection of the rotating member to the mount. 
     
     
         7 . The dock line management device of  claim 1 , and further including a slip collar disposed about the tube and movable relative thereto, and connected to the strut. 
     
     
         8 . A dock line management device comprising:
 a base having a mounting plate, a rotating member, and a mounting cleat, the mounting plate configured for attachment to a fixed structure, the rotating member being rotatably connected to the mounting plate, the mounting cleat fixedly attached to the rotating member and having a raised flap with an aperture therein;   a tube having a distal end, a hollow interior, and an outer tube portion and an inner tube portion, the outer tube portion and inner tube portion connected to each other, the tube pivotally attached to the base by connection to the mounting cleat; and   a strut connected to the tube and connected to the base via the aperture in the raised flap of the mounting cleat,   wherein the tube is rotatable about a vertical axis and about a horizontal axis, allowing movement based on the direction of a load on a dock line or other structure therein.   
     
     
         9 . The dock line management device of  claim 8 , and further including a rotating dowel connected to the rotating member and in engagement with the mounting plate. 
     
     
         10 . The dock line management device of  claim 8 , wherein the outer tube and the inner tube are fixedly attached to each other. 
     
     
         11 . The dock line management device of  claim 8 , and further including a slip collar disposed about the tube and movable relative thereto, and connected to the strut.