Cleat

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A line tied to a cleat on a dock. The line comes from a boat off the top of the picture, around the right horn, around the left horn, across the cleat from top left to bottom right, around the right horn, and then hitches around the left horn.

In nautical contexts, a cleat is a device attaching a rope. The traditional design is attached to a flat surface and features two “horns” extending parallel to the deck.

Other cleat designs include the following.

• A cam cleat in which one or two cams pinch the rope but allow the rope to easily be pulled tighter. It controls the movement of the rope, so it acts as a safety device.
• 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.

See also

• Winch, which may incorporate a cleat of sorts

References

External links

• http://www.animatedknots.com/cleat/index.php