ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 31 -- United States Patent no. 12,589,842, issued on March 31.

"Fender hook rope anchor" was invented by Daniel Austin (Pomona, Calif.).

According to the abstract* released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: "Improvements in a rope securing anchor for a boat fender that provides a versatile rope securing system to secure a boat to a dock or other location. The fender hook rope anchor can be quickly installed or removed from a boat fender and the rope can be quickly adjusted for the rope position within the fender hook rope anchor. The rope anchor has an open hook with a flexible tension finger that is easily installed and removed over the fender of a boat. A user can place the fender hook rope anchor where neede...