Similar Products
Inspiration for design can be taken from existing marine equipment. “Frog Hooks,” metal arms which are used to secure boats, use a system of cotter pins and plastic lanyards to secure boats in place (Fig. 17-18). These principles can be transferred to the makeup of the adjustable oarlock block, as cotter pins are a cheap and effective way of securing material to marine equipment. The metal pins used to connect the stern of a vessel too the dock are semi-removable, but cannot be entirely removed without the use of tools. This allows the pins to remain in an accessible position without requiring great effort on the part of the user. This functionality can be of great use to the design of the adjustable oarlock, as metal pins can survive the conditions present in the marine environment, and the accessibility and ease of use greatly lend themselves to placement in a commercial product.
Oarlock Design- Lanyards
Oar locks, other than those attached to the oars, will require lanyards, as will tholes or pins as well. Some pins are totally fixed in some working craft, but this is apt to be unhandy and cause trouble, especially if you go alongside other craft or even a float or wharf. Lanyards are, of course, to prevent loss of the rowing gear overboard. There are many lanyards that consist just of a piece of any old twine or chain. The system of a piece of cod line connecting a pair of oarlocks and running one to the other across the boat is a poor thing, something to trip over. With tholes, the lanyard should go through the holes in the rail or block, to prevent chafing (Culler 87).
Materials Processing
This product requires several skills in order to create a working prototype, and eventually, a fully functional example. The design calls for that of metal, or a wood-metal mixture, so the ability to craft metal together is integral to the success of the project. Metal soldering is a must, as is simple metal cutting. If the final design does include wood, the designer must know how to correctly measure and cut pieces of raw lumber. Finishing this wood is also a mandatory skill, using either varnish or some other type of sealant. Testing the product requires a rudimentary knowledge of oars and rowing, as the device will not function as performed if the tester does not have the skills inherent in rowing a vessel.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
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