Adjustable pivoting hanger

Abstract

A hanger for retaining a portion of line associated with watercraft is disclosed. The hanger comprises a tower, an arm extending outwardly from the tower and coupled for pivotal rotation thereto. A dampening mechanism is mounted to the tower and coupled to the arm. The dampening mechanism retards the pivotal movement of the arm relative to the tower. Furthermore, a cleat is coupled to the arm at a distal end thereof.

1 . A hanger for retaining a portion of line associated with watercraft, the hanger comprising:
 a tower;   an arm extending outwardly from the tower and coupled for pivotal rotation thereto;   a dampening mechanism mounted to the tower and coupled to the arm, the dampening mechanism for retarding the pivotal movement of the arm relative to the tower; and   a cleat coupled to the arm at a distal end thereof.   
     
     
         2 . The hanger of  claim 1 , wherein the cleat comprises:
 a concave portion that extends between a rounded portion and a flange portion.   
     
     
         3 . The hanger of  claim 1 , wherein the arm is coupled to the dampening mechanism via a support arm coupled to the arm and the dampening mechanism. 
     
     
         4 . The hanger of  claim 3 , wherein the support arm is coupled to the arm via a sleeve slidably position on the arm. 
     
     
         5 . The hanger of  claim 3 , wherein the dampening mechanism includes a first portion mounted to the tower, and a second portion mounted to the tower and engageable with the first portion;
 at least one of the first and second portion being movable relative to the other;   biasing means for urging one of the first and second portion toward the other of the first and second portion; and   wherein the first and second portions and the biasing means cooperate to minimize rotation of the arm relative to the tower in response to a force applied thereto.   
     
     
         6 . The hanger of  claim 5 , wherein the first and second portion each define a plurality of teeth; and
 wherein the teeth defined by the first portion matingly engage the teeth defined by the second portion.   
     
     
         7 . The hanger of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a base, the base being mountable to the tower and a structure for securing the tower to the structure.   
     
     
         8 . The hanger of  claim 1 , wherein the tower includes a least two sections telescopically engaged with one another. 
     
     
         9 . The hanger of  claim 1 , wherein the arm includes at least two sections telescopically engaged with one another. 
     
     
         10 . The hanger of  claim 5 , wherein the biasing means includes a coil spring positioned over the tower and abutting at one end against the upper or lower portions defined by the dampening mechanism. 
     
     
         11 . A hanger system for securing a watercraft comprising:
 a base coupled to a dock; and   a hanger removably coupled to the base, the hanger comprising:
 a tower; 
 an arm extending outwardly from the tower and coupled for pivotal rotation thereto; 
 a dampening mechanism mounted to the tower and coupled to the arm, the dampening mechanism for retarding the pivotal movement of the arm relative to the tower; and 
 a cleat coupled to the arm at a distal end thereof. 
   
     
     
         12 . The hanger system of  claim 1 , wherein the cleat comprises:
 a concave portion that extends between a rounded portion and a flange portion.   
     
     
         13 . The hanger system of  claim 11 , wherein the arm is coupled to the dampening mechanism via a support arm coupled to the arm and the dampening mechanism. 
     
     
         14 . The hanger system of  claim 13 , wherein the support arm is coupled to the arm via a sleeve slidably position on the arm. 
     
     
         15 . The hanger system of  claim 13 , wherein the dampening mechanism includes a first portion mounted to the tower, and a second portion mounted to the tower and engageable with the first portion;
 at least one of the first and second portion being movable relative to the other;   biasing means for urging one of the first and second portion toward the other of the first and second portion; and   wherein the first and second portions and the biasing means cooperate to minimize rotation of the arm relative to the tower in response to a force applied thereto.   
     
     
         16 . The hanger system of  claim 15 , wherein the first and second portion each define a plurality of teeth; and
 wherein the teeth defined by the first portion matingly engage the teeth defined by the second portion.   
     
     
         17 . The hanger system of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a base, the base being mountable to the tower and a structure for securing the tower to the structure.   
     
     
         18 . The hanger system of  claim 11 , wherein the tower includes a least two sections telescopically engaged with one another. 
     
     
         19 . The hanger system of  claim 11 , wherein the arm includes at least two sections telescopically engaged with one another. 
     
     
         20 . The hanger system of  claim 15 , wherein the biasing means includes a coil spring positioned over the tower and abutting at one end against the upper or lower portions defined by the dampening mechanism.