Dock line handling device

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a docking line hook including a U-shaped component for holding open a docking line. The device enables safer and simpler mooring of a boat to a dock. The docking line hook is attachable to a standard dock pole, and facilitates the attachment of dock lines to cleats or pilings directly from the boat. The docking line hook includes semicylindrical grooves at the end of tines of the U-shape as well as posts extending upwardly therefrom, allowing the docking line to be held open and securely by the docking line hook during use.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dock line mooring assistance device, comprising:
 a shaft having a back end including a receptacle configured to attach to a dock pole; and   two tines extending from a front end of the shaft;   wherein each of the two tines includes a semi-cylindrical indentation at front ends of the tines; and   wherein prongs extend upwardly from each of the two tines.   
     
     
         2 . The dock line mooring assistance device of  claim 1 , wherein the shaft has a circular cross-section. 
     
     
         3 . The dock line mooring assistance device of  claim 1 , wherein a tertiary prong extends upwardly from the shaft. 
     
     
         4 . The dock line mooring assistance device of  claim 1 , wherein the prongs extending upwardly from each of the two tines are positioned behind and proximate to the semi-cylindrical indentations. 
     
     
         5 . The dock line mooring assistance device of  claim 1 , wherein the shaft includes a hole configured to receive a snap button on the dock pole. 
     
     
         6 . The dock line mooring assistance device of  claim 1 , wherein the dock line mooring assistance device is formed from a plastic or fiber-reinforced composite material meeting the ASTM G154 UV resistance standard. 
     
     
         7 . The dock line mooring assistance device of  claim 1 , wherein the semi-cylindrical indentations are configured to support a dock line. 
     
     
         8 . The dock line mooring assistance device of  claim 1 , wherein the shaft and the two tines constitute a U-shaped body of the dock line mooring assistance device. 
     
     
         9 . A system for dock line mooring, comprising:
 a dock pole; and   a dock line mooring assistance device, including:
 a shaft having a back end including a receptacle configured to attach to a dock pole; and 
 two tines extending from a front end of the shaft; 
 wherein each of the two tines includes a semi-cylindrical indentation at front ends of the tines; and 
 wherein prongs extend upwardly from each of the two tines. 
   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the dock pole is extendable. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the shaft of the dock line mooring assistance device has a circular cross-section. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein a tertiary prong extends upwardly from the shaft of the dock line mooring assistance device. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the prongs extending upwardly from each of the two tines are positioned behind and proximate to the semi-cylindrical indentations. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the shaft of the dock line mooring assistance device includes a hole configured to receive a snap button on the dock pole. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the semi-cylindrical indentations are configured to support a dock line. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the shaft and the two tines constitute a U-shaped body of the dock line mooring assistance device. 
     
     
         17 . A dock line mooring assistance device, comprising:
 a shaft having a back end including a receptacle configured to attach to a dock pole; and   two tines extending from a front end of the shaft;   wherein each of the two tines includes an indentation configured to support a dock line at front ends of the tines;   wherein prongs extend upwardly from each of the two tines; and   wherein a tertiary prong extends upwardly from the shaft.   
     
     
         18 . The dock line mooring assistance device of  claim 17 , wherein the shaft has a circular cross-section. 
     
     
         19 . The dock line mooring assistance device of  claim 17 , wherein the prongs extending upwardly from each of the two tines are positioned behind and proximate to the indentations. 
     
     
         20 . The dock line mooring assistance device of  claim 17 , wherein the shaft includes a hole configured to receive a snap button on the dock pole.