Cleat (nautical)
Encyclopedia
In nautical contexts, a cleat is a device for securing a rope
. The traditional design is attached to a flat surface or a spar
and features two “horns” extending parallel to the deck or the axis of the spar, resembling an anvil
.
Other cleat designs include the following.
Rope
A rope is a length of fibres, twisted or braided together to improve strength for pulling and connecting. It has tensile strength but is too flexible to provide compressive strength...
. The traditional design is attached to a flat surface or a spar
Spar
In sailing, a spar is a pole of wood, metal or lightweight materials such as carbon fiber used on a sailing vessel. Spars of all types In sailing, a spar is a pole of wood, metal or lightweight materials such as carbon fiber used on a sailing vessel. Spars of all types In sailing, a spar is a...
and features two “horns” extending parallel to the deck or the axis of the spar, resembling an anvil
Anvil
An anvil is a basic tool, a block with a hard surface on which another object is struck. The inertia of the anvil allows the energy of the striking tool to be transferred to the work piece. In most cases the anvil is used as a forging tool...
.
Other cleat designs include the following.
- A cam cleat in which one or two spring-loaded camCamA cam is a rotating or sliding piece in a mechanical linkage used especially in transforming rotary motion into linear motion or vice-versa. It is often a part of a rotating wheel or shaft that strikes a lever at one or more points on its circular path...
s pinch the rope, allowing the rope to be adjusted easily, and quickly released when under load. - A jam cleat in which the line is pinched in a v-shaped slot.
- A clam cleat (or jam cleat) in which the rope is held between two fluted stationary pieces. Such a cleat vaguely resembles two halves of a clam shell held back to back. It is more compact than a cam cleat, but the rope is less easily released under load.
External links
- http://www.animatedknots.com/cleat/index.php
- http://www.bcx.org/photos/things/water/nautical/cleats/