Pop-Up Cleat

Abstract

A cleat includes a base member with a base plate and two base member lugs. Each lug has a first inner diameter proximal to the base plate and a second, larger inner diameter distal from the base plate and each lug is threaded. A securing member has a top portion that connects two legs.Each leg is held within a lug by a screw and washer, the washer has a diameter that is greater than the first diameter and less than the second diameter. A spring within each lug urges the leg towards an extended position. A spring-loaded locking mechanism interfaced between the base plate and the top portion holds the top portion of the securing mechanism in a retracted position until an actuator of the spring-loaded latching mechanism is pressed, at which time, the top portion of the securing mechanism is released and moved into the extended position.

1 . A locking pop-up cleat comprising:
 a base member having a base plate and two hollow base member lugs depending from the base plate, each hollow base member lug of the two hollow base member lugs having a first diameter proximal to the base plate and a second diameter distal from the base plate whereas the first diameter is smaller than the second diameter, each lug of the two hollow base member lugs being threaded to accept a nut;   a securing member having a top portion that connects two legs that are spaced apart and configured for accepting a line, the top portion extends outwardly from each of the two legs forming two wings for tying a line;   each of the two legs held within a respective one of the two hollow base member lugs by a screw and a washer, the washer having a diameter that is greater than the first diameter and less than the second diameter, thereby the washer retains the two legs within the respective one of the two hollow base member lugs;   a spring within each of the two hollow base member lugs urges the two legs towards an extended position; and   a spring-loaded locking mechanism interfaced between the base plate and the top portion of the securing member, the spring-loaded locking mechanism holds the top portion of the securing member in a retracted position until an actuator of the spring-loaded locking mechanism is pressed, at which time, the top portion of the securing member is released and moved into the extended position by force of the spring.   
     
     
         2 . The locking pop-up cleat of  claim 1 , whereas the spring is retained within each of the two hollow base member lugs by end caps. 
     
     
         3 . The locking pop-up cleat of  claim 2 , whereas the end caps are press-fit into a respective end of each of the two hollow base member lugs. 
     
     
         4 . The locking pop-up cleat of  claim 2 , whereas the end caps are held in a respective end of each of the two hollow base member lugs by an adhesive. 
     
     
         5 . The locking pop-up cleat of  claim 2 , whereas the end caps are held in a groove within a respective end of each of the two hollow base member lugs. 
     
     
         6 . The locking pop-up cleat of  claim 2 , whereas the end caps are held in a respective end of each of the two hollow base member lugs by threads. 
     
     
         7 . The locking pop-up cleat of  claim 2 , whereas the end caps are held in a respective end of each of the two hollow base member lugs by a weld. 
     
     
         8 . The locking pop-up cleat of  claim 1 , wherein the securing member is made of stainless steel. 
     
     
         9 . The locking pop-up cleat of  claim 1 , wherein the base member is made of stainless steel. 
     
     
         10 . A method of installing the locking pop-up cleat, the method comprising:
 providing the locking pop-up cleat of  claim 1 ;   forming two holes in a surface, each hole spaced to match the two hollow base member lugs and each hole sized to accept one of the two hollow base member lugs;   placing the locking pop-up cleat flush against the surface, each of the two hollow base member lugs protruding through a respective one of the two holes; and   threading nut onto each of the two hollow base member lugs and tightening to hold the locking pop-up cleat on the surface.   
     
     
         11 . The method of installing the locking pop-up cleat of  claim 10 , further comprising, before threading nut onto each of the two hollow base member lugs, placing lock washers onto each of the two hollow base member lugs. 
     
     
         12 . A locking pop-up cleat comprising:
 a base member having a base plate and two hollow base member lugs depending from a bottom surface of the base plate, the bottom surface of the base plate configured to interface flushly to a surface of a boat, each hollow base member lug of the two hollow base member lugs having a first inner diameter proximal to the base plate and a second inner diameter distal from the base plate whereas the first inner diameter is smaller than the second inner diameter, each lug of the two hollow base member lugs being threaded to accept a nut;   a securing member having a top portion that connects two legs that are spaced apart and configured for accepting a line, the top portion extending outwardly from each of the two legs forming two wings for tying a line when the securing member is in an extended configuration;   each of the two legs held within a respective one of the two hollow base member lugs by a screw and a washer, the washer having a diameter that is greater than the first inner diameter and less than the second inner diameter, thereby the washer retains the two legs within the respective one of the two hollow base member lugs;   a spring within each of the two hollow base member lugs urges each of the two legs towards an extended position, each spring held within a respective hollow based member lug by end caps; and   and a spring-loaded locking mechanism interfaced between the base plate and the top portion of the securing member, the spring-loaded locking mechanism holds the top portion of the securing member in a retracted position until an actuator of the spring-loaded locking mechanism is pressed, at which time, the top portion of the securing member is released and moved into the extended position by force of the spring.   
     
     
         13 . The locking pop-up cleat of  claim 12 , whereas the end caps are press-fit into a respective end of each of the two hollow base member lugs. 
     
     
         14 . The locking pop-up cleat of  claim 12 , whereas the end caps are held in a respective end of each of the two hollow base member lugs by an adhesive. 
     
     
         15 . The locking pop-up cleat of  claim 12 , whereas the end caps are held in a respective end of each of the two hollow base member lugs by a weld. 
     
     
         16 . The locking pop-up cleat of  claim 12 , whereas the end caps are held in a respective end of each of the two hollow base member lugs by threads. 
     
     
         17 . The locking pop-up cleat of  claim 12 , whereas the end caps are held in a groove within a respective end of each of the two hollow base member lugs. 
     
     
         18 . The locking pop-up cleat of  claim 12 , wherein the securing member is made of stainless steel. 
     
     
         19 . The locking pop-up cleat of  claim 12 , wherein the base member is made of stainless steel.